Climate change exacts heavy toll on Africa

Information exchange

In addition, beyond going to China for industrial products that are aimed at helping Africa tap into renewable energy, the continent should extend the partnership to information exchange and capacity building, he said.

Such a move would ensure that African personnel can build homegrown solutions and maintain facilities that are implemented through the partnership with China.

Mithika Mwenda, executive director at the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, said China is a good partner for Africa in developing the continent's clean energy.

"For us in the climate change space, we have always seen China as a big voice in international dialogue," he said, adding that there is more room for private-sector collaboration.

Adhere also called for more public-private partnerships between Chinese and African agencies, noting that the use of people-based projects would ensure sustainability.

Mohieldin, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for Egypt, said China has made huge progress in the green transition, and that it can play a bigger role in helping other developing countries respond to climate change.

"Chinese businesses and investors have the power to turbocharge the global race to zero emissions and greater resilience by the middle of the century."