As the world races toward a clean energy future, one country is pulling ahead with remarkable speed and scale: China. Already the largest producer of clean energy globally, China’s dominance isn’t just about domestic capacity—it’s about control. From solar panels to lithium batteries, China has positioned itself at the heart of global supply chains, and its influence is now reaching deep into emerging markets across Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
Much of this expansion is rooted in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China’s trillion-dollar infrastructure and trade strategy launched in 2000. While the BRI has always been about connectivity and commerce, energy has emerged as a central pillar. China’s goal? Not just national energy security, but to become the “center of gravity for global energy markets.”
But tracking this influence is no easy task. The China Global South Project (CGSP), an independent research group, was founded to monitor China’s growing footprint in developing nations. Their work reveals a murky landscape: incomplete data, vague project details, and media reports that sometimes cite defunct or fictional ventures.
To bring clarity, CGSP recently launched a tool to track Chinese energy investments in Africa. The findings are staggering: between 2020 and 2024, Chinese companies and financiers were involved in 84 energy projects across the continent, totaling over 32 gigawatts of capacity. That’s enough to power 135 million urban homes—or more than half a billion rural ones—every year.
Africa holds immense clean energy potential. It boasts 60% of the world’s best solar resources but only 1% of installed solar capacity. With the continent’s population expected to double by 2050 and energy demand projected to triple in just ten years, the need for investment is urgent. China, already Africa’s top trading partner, could be a game-changing ally in this transition.
A joint report from Boston University and the African Economic Research Consortium underscores this potential: “China can play a role in contributing to Africa's energy access and transition through trade, finance and FDI.”
Yet, concerns remain. The lack of transparency around China’s financing mechanisms raises red flags. Without clear terms, it’s hard to assess debt sustainability, affordability, or who truly benefits. As CGSP warns, “This opacity matters. It constrains the ability to learn from successes—or to avoid repeating costly mistakes.”
As Africa stands on the brink of an energy revolution, China’s role will be pivotal. But for that partnership to be truly transformative, it must be built on clarity, accountability, and shared goals—not just megawatts.