The African Climate Foundation (ACF) proudly participated in the BRICS Forum on Partnership on New Industrial Revolution 2024, held in Xiamen, China. The event marked a crucial step in the ACF’s mission to foster sustainable, climate-resilient development across Africa. The invitation to the Forum underscores the ACF’s role in advancing China-Africa relations and highlights the importance of multilateral platforms in driving Africa’s green industrialisation.
China-Africa relations have reached an unprecedented level following the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Outcomes such as the Beijing Declaration, the Action Plan (2025-2027) and the China-Africa Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation within the Global Development Initiative have paved the way for enhanced collaboration. Green development has emerged as a priority, with industrial sectors being the main areas of cooperation. By the end of 2023, China’s leadership in green technology is evident through over 100 energy projects on the continent, including 1000 small hydropower stations and significant investments in clean energy.
For the ACF, engaging China and BRICS countries is essential to mobilising the resources—financial, technical, and institutional—necessary for Africa’s green transition. China is set to provide RMB 360 billion in support to Africa over the next three years, including substantial credit lines, financial assistance, and investments by companies. As the global leader in green manufacturing, China offers invaluable opportunities for the ACF to scale its efforts in transformative and green industrialisation.
During the Forum, the ACF took a significant step forward by signing a three-year Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement on Sino-African Green and Low-carbon Industrial Development. This agreement, signed by Sahele Tamiru Fekede, on behalf of the ACF, alongside the Centre for International Economic and Technological Cooperation of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China and China Testing and Certification International Group Co., Ltd., represents the ACF’s first formal collaboration with the Chinese government. Witnessed by high-level officials from UNIDO, New Development Bank, industrial ministers from BRICS nations including Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Venezuela, Cuba and China, and representatives from international organisations and business leaders, this agreement establishes a framework for further cooperation.
Through this agreement, the ACF and its partners will drive initiatives in projects, research, capacity-building, standardisation, and certification, and the organisation of events and conferences. The collaboration is set to unlock new opportunities in green and low-carbon industrial development, echoing the outcomes of FOCAC 2024 and empowering African industries to adopt sustainable practices that will drive long-term economic growth.
During the Green and Low-Carbon Industrialisation Thematic Session, Sahele Fekede, Programme Manager at the ACF, delivered a keynote address to an audience of around 120 policymakers, researchers, investors, industry and business leaders. In his address, Sahele underscored Africa’s immense potential to be a central player in the global shift towards green industrialisation. He highlighted the ACF’s mission to support interventions that deliver long-term socio-economic transformation on the continent.
“Africa’s vast and exciting potential lies in localising the green manufacturing value chain. By working with partners like China, we can create win-win scenarios that drive investment, joint research, and the deployment of advanced green technologies. This is a pivotal moment for Africa to shape its industrial future while contributing to global sustainability,” said Sahele.
This call to action focused on seizing the opportunity presented by platforms such as BRICS to build strategic partnerships that foster sustainable industrial growth across Africa and the Global South.
A key achievement during the BRICS Forum was the launch of the BRICS “Green Manufacturing Partnership” Campaign, in which the ACF played a prominent role. This initiative, developed in partnership with Cainiao Holding Group (Alibaba), Vale Asia Development, and other stakeholders, aims to build green supply chains, enhance green development capacities, and open international markets for sustainable products.
For Africa, this campaign is transformative. It will allow the continent to proactively engage in the global green industrialisation space, particularly as BRICS countries expand their collaboration with African nations. By coordinating with African governments and businesses, the ACF is well-positioned to facilitate access to resources and technology from BRICS nations, driving sustainable industrial development and ensuring Africa’s role as a leader in the green economy.
The ACF’s invitation to and participation in the BRICS Forum reaffirms its commitment to advancing climate-resilient and green development across Africa. Through strategic partnerships and initiatives like the Sino-African Green and Low-carbon Industrial Development Agreement and the Green Manufacturing Partnership, the ACF is laying the foundation for a sustainable and prosperous future for the continent. A key part of this effort is the establishment of Climate and Development Investment Platforms, facilitated through international partnerships with key regions like China, the EU, the US, and Brazil.
Working with multilateral platforms such as BRICS allows the ACF to identify key partners for the development of these platforms, which will catalyse climate-related investments and foster inclusive, transformative industrialisation and green growth across Africa.
