Africa’s Energy Future: Can China’s Investments Deliver a Just Transition?

Alicia Girón and Andrea Reyes

Journal of Economic Issues, 2025, vol. 59, issue 2, 562-577

Abstract: China maintained a very close relationship with African countries prior to the creation of the Non-Aligned Movement. Even the influence of Russia and China during the Cold War helped countries achieve their independence after World War II. The lack of a strong bourgeoisie in the newly independent countries made it difficult to establish a democratic regime without achieving success in social welfare. On the contrary, dictatorial governments protected by colonial countries were consolidated. The arrival of Chinese investments, regardless of whether they are democracies or governments resulting from coups, has helped governments reduce the social debt of their population. We refer to social debt as the lack of infrastructure in access to energy, and transportation on roads, airports, and ports. In addition, there is the fight against climate change, so in this work, we will analyze the importance of climate finance for the energy sector; secondly, how Chinese investments in renewable and non-renewable energies have increased in the different countries of Sub-Saharan Africa; thirdly, the investment funds and institutional investors in Chinese corporations in the region. Finally, we will ask ourselves if achieving the “Just Transition” in a region characterized by great economic, political, and social inequalities is possible.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/00213624.2025.2493569

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