China, US pledge millions in extra help for Africa at climate summit

Chinese-funded solar plants and satellite early warning facilities flagged at meeting of African leaders in Nairobi

The world’s two largest economies and top polluters have been under growing pressure to do more to help cope with global warming

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African leaders concluded the three-day summit in Nairobi this week with a call for wealthy nations to fulfil their promises to support the continent in addressing climate change. Photo: AP

Published: 7:00pm, 7 Sep 2023

China will connect 50,000 poor African families using solar energy and provide satellites for early warnings of floods and drought, while the US has promised another US$30 million to accelerate food security efforts across the continent.

Huang Runqiu, China’s environment minister, and US climate envoy John Kerry made the pledges at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, as part of plans to help the continent fight the effects of global warming.

The two largest economies – which are also the world’s top polluters – have been under growing pressure to help Africa fight the effects of climate change.

African leaders used the three-day summit to push for the world’s richest countries to be held accountable for their impact on the environment, ahead of COP 28 in Dubai later this year.

Huang said China will launch an Africa Solar Belt programme as part of the South-South cooperation on climate change to advance 100 million yuan (US$13.7 million) for solar projects in regions not served by main power grids, helping around 50,000 families.

“The project will help African countries to develop and utilise solar energy to address power shortage and transition to green and low carbon development,” Huang told the Nairobi summit on Tuesday.