A senior official from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) has praised the critical role that China plays in facilitating Africa's transition towards green energy, particularly in the area of electric vehicles (EVs). This collaboration is seen as a significant momentum for the continent's efforts to adopt sustainable energy solutions.

Robert Tama Lisinge, the acting director of the Technology, Innovation, Connectivity and Infrastructure Division at UNECA, underscored the importance of the partnership between China and Africa in boosting electric mobility. He highlighted that the electric vehicle revolution is central to Africa's advancement towards a greener future.

Lisinge stated that UNECA is at the forefront of advocating for a green energy transition in Africa, with the partnership with China emerging as a pivotal influence. He expressed a vision of not only increasing the number of electric vehicles on African roads but also establishing manufacturing capabilities for these vehicles on the continent.

The UNECA official emphasized the necessity for strong collaborative efforts as Africa's transportation sector currently relies heavily on fossil fuels, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Lisinge insisted that addressing these emissions and safeguarding the climate should be a prioritized focus within the transport sector.

With a keen awareness of the challenges that Africa faces in the transition to EVs, Lisinge noted that UNECA is actively working with China and other partners to overcome obstacles that hinder the growth of the EV market on the continent. China is recognized as a leading producer of electric vehicles and an innovator in energy storage technology.

He pointed out that Africa possesses rich resources essential for battery production, and UNECA is focusing on developing a local battery production value chain. This shift aims to enhance the manufacturing capabilities within Africa rather than relying solely on the export of raw materials.

Lisinge further elaborated on the collaborations between China and Africa, noting that China is already a significant player in the supply of solar energy components, as well as wind turbine parts. He highlighted that many solar initiatives across Africa are dependent on Chinese-manufactured solar panels.

The potential of the China-Africa partnership extends to localizing technologies to manufacture green energy solutions in Africa, harnessing the continent's rich renewable energy resources. Lisinge emphasized that this requires a transfer of technology, which is crucial for successfully advancing the energy transition.

He acknowledged China's substantial investments in African infrastructure development, particularly in the energy sector, and expressed a desire to see continued growth in this collaboration. As China leads in infrastructure projects, its role in enhancing Africa's energy landscape is increasingly recognized.