as africa seeks to strike a balance between development and environmental concerns, the chinese engagement is propelling the continent's quest for green development.
with a population of 1.3 billion, africa is rich in renewable energy resources including hydro, solar and wind.
but according to data from the world bank, only 46.7 percent of sub-saharan africa's population had access to electricity in 2019.
according to the un economic commission for africa, access to electricity is a critical challenge for the continent.
to address the challenge, cooperation with china brings hope.
in ethiopia, cooperation with china in the renewable energy sector enables the second most populous nation in africa to tap into its rich renewable energy potential.
in kiryandongo of uganda, workers are completing the final stage of the karuma hydro power plant along the nile river.
with 85 percent financed by the export-import bank of china, the project will be the largest power-generating installation in the east african country.
once completed, it will have a capacity of 600 mw.
kenya's installed capacity of solar power has exceeded 100 mw.
china-financed garissa solar in north kenya accounts for half of it.
launched in 2019, it is the largest grid-connected solar power plant in east and central africa.
apart from its abundance of natural resources, africa also faces the effects of climate change.
cooperation with china is injecting momentum into its quest for climate-friendly development.