In CGSP’s first-ever China–Africa Energy Forum, Managing Editor Cobus van Staden hosts three leading experts to explore how Chinese finance, technology, and policy are transforming Africa’s power landscape:
- Frangton Chiyemura Lecturer in International Development, Open University
- Wei Shen Research Fellow, Institute for Development Studies
- Adjekai Adjei Non-Resident Fellow for Africa, The China-Global South Project
Drawing on CGSP’s new China–Africa Energy Tracker and a groundbreaking report "Powering Africa: China’s Expanding Role in the Continent’s Energy Future," the panel examines $33 billion in Chinese energy investments across 30 African countries, the rise of renewables, and the shift from “big infrastructure” to “small and beautiful” projects.
🔹 00:00 Introduction — Launch of CGSP’s China–Africa Energy Forum & Energy Tracker 🔹 05:20 China’s $33B in African power projects: scope and strategy 🔹 14:10 The pivot to renewables: hydropower, solar, and green innovation 🔹 26:45 Financing models, data transparency, and technology transfer 🔹 39:10 Balancing opportunity and dependency in the energy transition 🔹 50:00 Mining, electrification, and the “small and beautiful” Belt and Road 🔹 1:02:00 Audience Q&A — policy, finance, and the future of Africa’s grids
Originally broadcast live on YouTube, LinkedIn, X, and Facebook, this conversation kicks off CGSP’s new global discussion series on China’s role in the Global South.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @christiangeraud
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth
Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social
FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH & SPANISH:
JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth
