China-Africa Energy and Climate Cooperation: Prospects for FOCAC 2024

The report tracks the shift in China-Africa energy cooperation from large-scale infrastructure and thermal power projects toward 'small and beautiful' green initiatives. It highlights a growing alignment between China's commitment to stop funding overseas coal-fired projects and Africa's strategic priorities for climate finance, renewable energy access, and resilient infrastructure. While China offers technological and financial aid, the report notes that some African priorities, such as critical minerals, remain insufficiently addressed.

• China-Africa energy cooperation has transitioned from a focus on high-level political exchanges and abstract pledges in early FOCACs to more specific targets. The 2009 Sharm El Sheikh Action Plan introduced a separate paragraph on combating climate change and focused on adding value to African energy products.
• Despite the introduction of 'clean energy' concepts in 2012, Chinese energy projects in Africa during the 2010s were primarily large-scale construction or natural resource extraction, with electricity projects consisting mainly of conventional thermal power stations.
• Chinese investment in African renewable energy grew at an average annual rate of 26% between 2010 and 2020. While hydropower dominated, there was an increasing trend toward solar and wind power, including trilateral projects in Ghana and Zambia funded by Denmark from 2015 to 2019.
• A strategic shift occurred after September 2021 when President Xi announced that China would cease funding and building new coal-fired projects overseas. This led to the 'small and beautiful' project era, focusing on local livelihoods and green investments in countries such as Mali, Kenya, and South Africa.
• African nations have established clear climate agendas, including the AU's Green Recovery Action Plan 2021-2027 and the 2023 Nairobi Declaration. These prioritize climate finance, just energy transitions, and universal access to affordable energy services.
• China's current climate priorities for Africa, as framed by Minister Huang Runqiu, focus on mitigation and adaptation. This includes supporting the 'Great Green Wall' and the 'African Light Belt' to leverage solar energy for electricity challenges.
• While cooperation is expanding, the report identifies a gap in Chinese engagement regarding certain African priorities, specifically critical minerals.

APA

Chen, X., Benkenstein, A., & van Staden, C. (2024). China-Africa Energy and Climate Cooperation: Prospects for FOCAC 2024. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/China-Africa-Energy-Climate_SAIIA_Aug2024.pdf

Chicago

Chen, Xiang, Alex Benkenstein, and Cobus van Staden. China-Africa Energy and Climate Cooperation: Prospects for FOCAC 2024. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2024. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/China-Africa-Energy-Climate_SAIIA_Aug2024.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Chen |first1=Xiang |last2=Benkenstein |first2=Alex |last3=van Staden |first3=Cobus |title=China-Africa Energy and Climate Cooperation: Prospects for FOCAC 2024 |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=26 August 2024 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/China-Africa-Energy-Climate_SAIIA_Aug2024.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{chen2024chinaafrica, author = {Chen, Xiang and Benkenstein, Alex and van Staden, Cobus}, title = {{China-Africa Energy and Climate Cooperation: Prospects for FOCAC 2024}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2024}, month = aug, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/China-Africa-Energy-Climate_SAIIA_Aug2024.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }