BEIJING: Experts are advocating for a stronger partnership between China and Africa to promote sustainable development on the continent, emphasizing China’s potential to help Africa transition to a low-carbon economy through its expertise in green technologies.
The remarks were made at the China-Africa Dialogue on Environment and Climate Change, which was themed “Sino-African Cooperation on Green and Low-Carbon Development: EVs and New Initiative”. The event was organized by the BRI International Green Development Coalition on Tuesday in Beijing.
Arkebe Oqubay, former senior minister and special adviser to the prime minister of Ethiopia, highlighted the synergy between China’s experience in green transformation and Africa’s economic development potential. He noted that Africa currently plays a marginal role in global green transition, with very limited investment in this area.
According to a 2022 report from the International Renewable Energy Agency, only 2 percent of global investment in renewable energy over the past two decades has been made in Africa.
“This means that international inequality is widening. We are seeing a new green divide emerging,” Oqubay said. Despite this, Oqubay expressed optimism about Africa’s potential for economic prosperity, driven by a growing population, increased urbanization and a burgeoning labor force over the next 25 years. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
