ADDIS ABABA - Representatives and experts from China and African countries on Thursday called for deepening bilateral cooperation in energy development to ensure sustainable, affordable, and reliable electricity supply and to address disruptions to oil transportation caused by global tensions, particularly the crisis in the Middle East.

The call came during the 2026 China-Africa Energy Forum of Think Tanks, held in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, under the theme "Strengthening China-Africa Energy Diplomacy in a Turbulent World."

Jiang Feng, Head of the Chinese Mission to the African Union (AU), in his remarks, stated that China and Africa need to build a mutually beneficial and win-win energy partnership to ensure sustainable energy supply.

"In response to Africa's pressing energy needs, China-Africa energy cooperation should focus on exploring renewable energy sources, deploying low-carbon technologies, supporting African capacity in oil refining, and building resilient electricity grids that ensure efficient energy delivery across the continent," said Jiang.

He added that China is willing to share its experience and help Africa leverage its abundant energy resources while improving access to modern and reliable energy sources.

Erastus Mwencha, former Deputy Chairman of the African Union Commission and current Chairman of the Board of Directors of Equity Bank Kenya, said that China and Africa should use existing cooperation frameworks to promote clean energy production and reduce excessive reliance on fossil fuels.

He noted that the energy cooperation framework adopted at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2024, along with its action plan, provides a solid institutional basis for responding to the current global energy crisis.

Mwencha stated that the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East has exposed African countries to some of the most serious global challenges in energy security. He added that existing China-Africa energy cooperation can serve as an active tool to mitigate the risks of both the current and future global energy crises.

Islam Swaleh, Head of the Division of Business and Investment at the African Union Commission, said that the combination of Africa's raw material wealth and China's technological capabilities presents an unprecedented opportunity for strategic partnership.

"The first priority of China-Africa energy diplomacy should be to strengthen resilience. The disruptions to oil supply that we have witnessed in recent years have highlighted the importance of diversified energy supply chains, regional integration, and interconnected infrastructure systems," said Swaleh.

He added that future China-Africa energy cooperation should not only focus on electricity generation but also on building domestic capacity that creates jobs, strengthens industry, and supports long-term structural transformation.

The 2026 China-Africa Energy Forum of Think Tanks, organized by the Africa Policy Institute, attracted nearly 100 experts and scholars from China and Africa.

gnews.cz - GH