“Collaborative Efforts for Africa’s Energy Transition” Africa-China Civil Society Organizations Dialogue Successfully Concluded
2024/09/05
September 5, 2024 – During the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, the “Collaborative Efforts for Africa’s Energy Transition” Africa-China Civil Society Organizations Dialogue was held in Beijing. Hosted by the Institute for Global Decarbonization Progress (iGDP) and supported by the World Resources Institute (WRI), the event brought together over 40 representatives from international organizations, civil society organizations, universities, research institutions, enterprises, and media from China and Africa. The conference examined the current state, challenges, and opportunities of China-Africa energy cooperation, and discussed the collaborative prospects for advancing Africa’s energy transition among governments, businesses, and civil society organizations (CSOs). The session was hosted by XI Xi, analyst at iGDP.
01 Opening Remarks
Ms. HU Min, Director and Co-Founder of iGDP, reflected on the institute’s decade-long efforts in Climate Governance, Energy Transition, the Green Economy, and Beyond Carbon (non-CO2 greenhouse gases). She highlighted the significant role of CSOs in advancing energy transitions within Belt and Road Initiative countries as part of the green development process. Ms. HU noted that Africa’s energy transition must address both the accessibility of power and the goals of modernization and industrialization, which place diverse demands on CSOs.
Ms. MIAO Hong, Sustainable Transition Center Program Director of the World Resources Institute China, emphasized that Africa’s energy transition involves more than just technical challenges; it also requires addressing social, environmental, and economic issues. She identified three key areas: improving electricity access, integrating renewable power into the grid, and diversifying the use of renewable energy. Miao Hong also urged increased cooperation between China and Africa, the development of tailored power plant operations, expansion of funding sources, sharing of best practices, and fostering mutual growth.
02 Keynote Speeches
Ms. WANG Nuo, Operations Director at the Global Environmental Institute (GEI), shared insights from her team’s renewable energy demonstration project in Cameroon. She discussed the initial considerations, field research findings, and key areas of focus during implementation. Ms. WANG pointed out that the following five dimensions are how the project would further its positive impacts: improving household lighting in local communities, raising forest conservation awareness, increasing female participation, enhancing local skills, and expanding the project’s reach.
Ms. QUAN Changxin, Project Manager at South-North Institute for Sustainable Development, presented three representative “small yet smart” renewable energy projects carried by Chinese companies in Africa. She explained the concept, shared insights on the experiences and business models of such projects, and assessed their economic, environmental, and social impacts. Based on case studies, Ms. QUAN offered six recommendations for companies pursuing “small yet smart” projects: 1) define clear goals and strategic positioning, 2) tailor technology and innovations to local conditions, 3) enhance training and capacity building, 4) collaborate with various stakeholders to expand the industry chain, 5) improve monitoring and evaluation, and 6) strengthen branding and market development.
Ms. LU Weijing, Associate Professor at the School of Law and Humanities, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), discussed the opportunities and challenges faced by Chinese CSOs in “going global.” She provided a systematic overview of the background, models, and types of institutions involved. Ms. LU emphasized the importance of having comprehensive professional skills in international cooperation. By understanding local regulations, cultural customs, and social dynamics, organizations can build a strong foundation for collaboration, address local needs, and achieve mutual acceptance. Effective technology integration and systematic management are crucial for win-win outcomes. Additionally, she stressed the importance of telling China’s story effectively.
Ms. Anne W. NGANGA, Project Assistant at the Strathmore Energy Research Centre (SERC), shared insights into the role of African social organizations in advancing local energy transitions. She outlined the team’s focus areas in Kenya, including the National Clean Cooking Transition Strategy, eCooking Strategy, Review of Kenya Energy Policy 2028, and National Electric Mobility Policy. Ms. NGANGA emphasized the critical role of connecting public sectors, local institutions, and international partners in achieving a development vision that effectively addresses climate change.
03 Panel Discussion
The panel discussion featured five guests: Ms. PENG Peng, Secretary General of China New Energy Investment and Finance Alliance; Mr. JIANG Hao, Environmental and Climate Expert at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (Beijing); Mr. Lionel MBANDA, Director of Partnerships for the Global Youth Leadership Development Council and Project Manager for the United Nations Youth Leadership Development Program; Ms. Anne W. NGANGA, Project Assistant at the Strathmore Energy Research Centre; and Ms. LI Xia, Founder and CEO of Shenzhen Power-Solution. They discussed how social organizations can drive Africa’s energy transition.
Ms. Anne W. NGANGA highlighted the challenges Kenya faces in its energy transition policies, such as monitoring uncertainties in policy implementation, inadequate funding, and limited data availability. She stressed the need for case-by-case analysis, improving communication between organizations, and mutual learning from both practical experience and policy implementation.
Ms. LI Xia discussed the challenges companies face in balancing commercial and social values. She highlighted the substantial energy demand gap in Africa, noting that distributed off-grid energy storage solutions have significant market potential and demand, with opportunities outweighing the challenges. Ms. LI emphasized that effective interaction, complementarity, and cooperation between CSOs and businesses can maximize the value of investments. By aligning on common goals and supporting each other, creating cohesive models, and collaborating on standards building and oversight, both sectors share great cooperation potential.
Ms. PENG Peng analyzed the key drivers behind the Chinese energy sector’s expansion to Africa, identifying two main approaches: relocating manufacturing overseas and implementing power generation projects. She emphasized that companies prioritize the stability of the business environment, exchange rates, and local infrastructure throughout this process. Ms. PENG also highlighted the role of industry associations in facilitating corporate expansion and public-private partnerships.
Mr. Lionel MBANDA noted Africa’s substantial electricity market demand and suggested leveraging free trade zones and the Belt and Road Initiative for Africa to better cooperate with China. He pointed out that African countries have diverse resource endowments and development paths, stressing the importance of learning from China and developing authentic value chains. Mr. MBANDA also highlighted the need for youth engagement, policy framework development, and the involvement of social and non-governmental organizations in achieving development goals.
Mr. JIANG Hao summarized the potential of China-Africa cooperation with three key points: 1) Africa has demand, 2) China has the conditions, and 3) China is willing to assist Africa. He also outlined several challenges in current China-Africa energy cooperation, including a lack of understanding of local conditions such as technology gaps and the true needs, poor information exchange between social organizations, businesses, and governments, inadequate post-project maintenance, and a shortage of talent. Mr. JIANG stressed the importance of improving communication among organizations and encouraged CSOs to be bold in adopting innovative and experimental practices.
04 Q&A
The keynote speeches and panel discussion sparked lively interaction and questions from the audience. Regarding Cooperation opportunities between China and Africa CSOs, an African representative mentioned that CSOs could act as a bridge in areas such as power investment and local manufacturing of renewable energy components.
Addressing the issue of how to enhance interaction with communities and minimize negative impacts on local ecosystems when businesses expand overseas, Mr. JIANG Hao highlighted that the model of “going global” has evolved from a purely trade-focused approach to a comprehensive strategy including technology transfer, talent development, product maintenance, and manufacturing. This shift introduces new challenges for companies hoping to enter the African market.
Ms. LI Xia emphasized the need for social organizations and businesses to integrate more effectively into local communities by assuming social responsibility and addressing practical issues. By promoting local industrialization, both parties can share mutual benefits. Mr. MBANDA suggested that Chinese companies should tailor their business models to specific destinations. Ms. NGANGA noted that, in Kenya, there are organizations primarily responsible for reviewing the environmental impact of energy policies. They assist the government in ensuring a thorough understanding of these impacts during policy formulation, hoping to further advance relevant legislation and provide guidance for investors. For investors, understanding a country’s policies is also crucial.
05 Conclusion
In her concluding remarks, Ms. HU Min reiterated that energy issues are a vast topic, with the 54 African countries facing diverse challenges and environments that merit further in-depth discussion for each one of them. She emphasized that energy services—how to use energy effectively to meet needs—should be explored through technological and business model innovations. CSOs should focus on expanding their networks, enhancing their roles to facilitate information exchange and foster innovation, as well as diversifying resources and maintaining professionalism to play their role effectively.
As China-Africa cooperation continues to deepen, the potential for collaboration in the energy sector remains substantial. This conference effectively called for collaborative efforts from governments, businesses, and social organizations, leveraging insights from renewable energy projects and discussions on Africa’s energy transition to help create a sustainable development blueprint for the continent.