Chinese President Xi Jinping will host the ninth Forum on China-African Cooperation Summit on August 4, aiming to encourage the 50 African nations in attendance to purchase more of China’s renewable energy technologies, according to Reuters. In return, China pledges to increase loans and investments across the continent, focusing on green energy.
China is keen to expand its green energy tech exports, especially for electric vehicles (EVs) and solar panels, before Western tariffs come into effect. However, past unfulfilled pledges, such as the promise to purchase $300 billion worth of goods from Africa in 2021, may hinder collaboration with some African countries.
China must also provide assurances on infrastructure projects, like a railway link intended to connect China with the greater East-African region, that have not yet materialized. Eric Olander, co-founder of the China-Global South Project, noted that African nations that align their proposals with China’s revised priorities stand to benefit the most, although many African countries have limited knowledge of Chinese policies.
With Western tariffs looming, President Xi’s administration is prioritizing emerging markets for its EVs and solar technology. According to Boston University’s Global Development Policy Centre, China provided $4.6 billion in loans to Africa in 2023, the highest since 2019, including $500 million for hydropower and solar infrastructure.
President Xi is expected to meet with leaders from Gambia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe to discuss China’s green industry. Eswatini will be the only African nation not in attendance. Additionally, China aims to discuss trade and access to raw materials like copper, cobalt, and lithium from Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, while being cautious about funding commitments due to ongoing debt restructuring in countries such as Chad, Ethiopia, and Zambia.
To maintain market share in Africa, countries like the US, UK, Italy, Russia, and South Korea have also hosted summits with African leaders to discuss renewable energy development.