[Beijing, China] As Africa’s demand for clean, reliable, and affordable energy continues to grow amid intensifying climate risks, the quality, structure, and accessibility of green finance have become central to the future of China–Africa cooperation. Building on longstanding engagement in energy and infrastructure across the continent, the next phase of China–Africa green partnership will depend not only on mobilising capital, but on ensuring that financing models effectively support Africa’s development and industrial priorities.
Development Reimagined is pleased to launch its latest discussion paper, The Role of China’s Investment Strategies and Funding Models in Financing Africa’s Green Development, which examines how China–Africa green finance cooperation can be strengthened to better support Africa’s energy transition, climate resilience, and long-term economic transformation.
Drawing on case analysis and stakeholder interviews, the paper examines the evolving roles of Chinese policy banks, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and equity investment vehicles in financing Africa’s green development. The paper provides a grounded assessment of how Chinese green finance is evolving in Africa—and how African policymakers, utilities, development finance institutions, and project proponents can engage more strategically with Chinese partners.
Importantly, the discussion paper is framed with African stakeholders as a primary audience. It offers practical pathways for African policymakers, public utilities, development finance institutions, and project proponents on how to engage Chinese financial and corporate actors more effectively. Key priorities include improving project readiness, confirming sovereign participation where relevant, leveraging regional and cross-border projects, and fostering partnerships that support local value chains and industrial development.
As China and Africa prepare for the next phase of cooperation under frameworks such as the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the paper emphasises that advancing green finance will require flexible and context-specific approaches rather than a single, universal model. Success will be measured not only by capital deployed or megawatts installed, but by how effectively financing arrangements are adapted to local conditions and support resilient growth, job creation, and a just transition across the continent.
For interviews or additional information, please contact clients@developmentreimagined.com.
Date published: February 5,2026
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