By Dan Kaburu
Nairobi, November 6, 2024 – The inaugural 2024 China-Africa Renewable Energy Investment Summit convened investors and renewable energy stakeholders from several African countries, including Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Uganda. The summit aims to leverage Africa’s vast clean energy potential by creating scalable models for renewable energy financing on the continent.
Chinese investors—comprising financial institutions, private equity firms, and strategic partners—joined to explore opportunities for collaboration and investment in Africa’s renewable energy sector. The summit highlights Africa’s capacity to adopt renewable solutions and facilitate energy transition, an effort strongly supported by the WWF as part of the Africa Regional Energy Hub. WWF’s role emphasizes fostering partnerships that drive Africa’s transition to clean energy and unlock the potential of renewable energy for sustainable development.
Jacqueline Kimeu, WWF-Kenya’s Energy & Climate Change Specialist, said, “This summit is about providing the space for African projects to find the investment they need to thrive and for Chinese investors to tap into Africa’s renewable energy potential.”This summit is a key step towards unlocking Africa’s clean energy potential, creating jobs, boosting economies, and fighting climate change!”
The event focused on key areas, including solar-powered farming to boost food production, connecting homes and businesses to affordable, clean energy, and other sustainable energy initiatives aimed at driving economic growth and addressing climate change.
“These meetings are about matchmaking between Chinese companies and African startups in the renewable energy sector. We hope these discussions open avenues for investment both from China to Africa and Africa to China,” stated Yuheng Zhao, Managing Director of Odysseus Technology Limited in Kenya.
The matchmaking process aims to attract Chinese investors and companies to support African startups engaged in renewable energy initiatives. Dorcas Sagonda, Head of Sales at WidEnergy Africa Limited, expressed her company’s interest in partnerships that would enhance solar equipment production in rural Zambia. “We are seeking partnerships to produce solar-powered freezers, water pumps, and coolers for rural communities,” Sagonda said.
