China
Flourishing Through Sustainability: The Future of China-Africa Collaboration
China and South Africa’s new energy cooperation initiative marks a shift in China–Africa relations, focusing on integrated approaches for sustainable growth, infrastructure, and governance, addressing clean investment challenges in Africa.
Evolving Energy Cooperation Between China and South Africa
China and South Africa’s recent energy cooperation initiative is a pivotal shift in the China-Africa partnership, moving towards an integrated approach that aligns with Africa’s sustainability goals. While global markets and decreasing costs have made green growth more attainable, Africa still faces hurdles in attracting clean energy investments. The key issues are not merely financial but also involve enhancing infrastructure and governance to transform projects into enduring growth. This requires fostering institutional frameworks and developing grids alongside clean energy implementation.
At the G20 Summit in November 2025, the two nations unveiled the Initiative on Cooperation Supporting Modernization in Africa. This initiative marks a departure from the previous project-oriented models of China-Africa energy cooperation. While the specifics are still under development, it indicates a broader commitment to collaboration beyond just standalone energy projects.
Historically, Chinese investments in Africa were primarily focused on large-scale energy projects, including coal and hydropower. However, since the mid-2010s, there has been a notable shift toward renewable energy, particularly smaller-scale initiatives. By 2026, around 60% of Chinese-backed energy projects were projected to prioritize solar and wind. The new initiative seeks to embed clean energy within a framework that promotes infrastructure development and aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, reflecting a redefined approach to sustainable development in the Global South.
Source : ‘Growing by greening’ and the future of China–Africa cooperation
