The 100 MW Redstone Concentrated Solar Thermal Power Project, a flagship project of the BRI, in South Africa's Northern Cape Province. Photo: Courtesy of PowerChina

In a press briefing after meeting with Denis Sassou Nguesso, president of the Republic of the Congo on Tuesday, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China will work with African countries to build the "Africa Solar Belt" program and help Africa truly embark on the path of green and low-carbon development.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during his ongoing visit to Africa.  

When asked about how China and Africa jointly address climate change at the briefing, Wang said that President Sassou's high attention to the issue of climate change reflects the foresight of African leaders, adding that China has always supported Africa in achieving green development as the installed capacity of photovoltaic power plants built jointly has exceeded 1.5 GW, lighting up thousands of homes across the continent, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed that China and Africa should jointly advance modernization that is eco-friendly, which is the common goal of both sides and one of the key tasks of this visit, Wang said. 

He said that China will implement the Partnership Action for Green Development, and work with African countries to carry out clean energy projects proposed at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

"Green development is crucial for Africa's sustainable growth. China has advanced clean energy technologies, and there is great potential for synergy between the two sides," said Song Wei, a professor from the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), where African countries are both active participants and key beneficiaries, green cooperation can be further expanded, unlocking more potential and having a meaningful impact on Africa's sustainable development, Song said.

In recent years, under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the BRI, China and Africa have worked together to advance the construction of green energy projects. Many landmark projects have been completed.

From green to grow

Located in South Africa's Northern Cape Province, which is vast in size but sparsely populated, much of the land is barren. Yet, this region has produced a remarkable outcome - the country's largest renewable energy investment project - the 100 MW Redstone Concentrated Solar Thermal Power (CSP) Project. This initiative has transformed this arid land into a renewable energy hub.

PowerChina, which constructed the project, told the Global Times, that once fully operational, the project is expected to deliver around 480 GWh of electricity annually to the grid. During peak demand, it will be able to meet the electricity needs of 200,000 South African households, significantly boosting South Africa's trade, investment, and local economic development, the company said.

China has already implemented hundreds of clean energy projects in Africa. The cumulative installed capacity of photovoltaic power plants built by Chinese companies in collaboration with Africa has exceeded 1.5 GW, placing China at the forefront of international green cooperation with Africa.

Chinese companies have brought not only green energy transformation but also the cultivation of skilled professionals.

In Rivers State, Nigeria, a main building rose from the ground in May last year, marking significant progress toward completing construction in the Rivers State Environmental Restoration Center project.

This project, developed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), is a key component of Nigeria's environmental pollution remediation efforts, covering an area of 288,000 square meters. The company said that once completed, it will become Nigeria's first specialized research and teaching base for environmental protection, serving as a hub for cultivating professionals and enhancing local living standards.

CCECC has been collaborating with  the Nigerian federal government and universities in China to jointly cultivate international students since 2018, which is "another exemplary model of mutual development and win-win cooperation under the BRI."

More possibilities

Despite the progress made, challenges still remain ahead. According to the latest Stated Policies Scenario projections released by the International Energy Agency, 645 million people are projected to remain without electricity access in 2030, of which 85 percent or about 545 million people are in sub-Saharan Africa.

This figure highlights both the urgent need and the potential for deepening green cooperation, Song said. She noted that Africa is rich in renewable energy resources, such as wind, solar, and geothermal energy, making it possible to address the continent's energy shortage through green development. China's competitive advantages in production capacity and technological innovation will help Africa unlock the full potential of its renewable energy, Song said.

Among African countries that have with pressing need for electricity supply is Namibia, which is heavily dependent on electricity imports.

Elia George Kaiyamo, the Namibian ambassador to China, said that there are about 50 percent of Namibia's electricity currently sourced from neighboring countries, a challenge he emphasized must be addressed. He noted that Namibia and China are highly aligned in green transformation and there is a great potential for both sides to explore future cooperation.

"Africa cannot follow the old path of development, where pollution precedes remediation. It needs to rely on green development. China can offer valuable experience and support," said Ma Hanzhi, assistant research fellow at the Department for Developing Countries Studies, China Institute of International Studies.

"Chinese modernization is eco-friendly, and China's collaboration enables Africa to access advanced technologies and support," Ma said, noting that as bilateral green cooperation deepens, it will provide a continuous stream of green energy for modernization efforts.