Zusammenfassung:
China has become a major global player in energy finance, infrastructure development and clean technology exports. This report explores the changing nature of China's engagement in energy transitions across Africa, with a focus on three key cases: Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa. Between 2010 and 2021, Chinese financial institutions provided an average of $18 billion annually in global energy lending, while Chinese firms invested over $33 billion in the sector and secured $57 billion in construction contracts per year. Nearly a third of this lending was to African economies. Today, China is the world's leading exporter of clean energy technologies - including solar panels, wind turbines and lithium-ion batteries - with growing exports to emerging markets. The nature of China's overseas energy engagement is currently evolving. Official lending has declined since 2016, with a shift in focus towards commercial financing, construction contracts, and growing activity in the renewable energy sector. In Africa, most Chinese involvement continues to follow the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) model, building projects without long-term ownership or equity stakes. Through three detailed case studies on Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa, this report examines how China's investments and exports align with each country's energy strategies and development goals. It finds that while Chinese actors are contributing to infrastructure buildout and clean technology supply, they have until now had limited involvement in local value chains and public-private partnerships (PPPs). Kenya specifically has seen a move towards renewables and growing interest in local assembly of clean energy technology. Mozambique remains focused on developing natural gas, with expectations for greater future involvement in green industrialisation. And in South Africa, China remains a key technology supplier and contractor, but plays a minor role in financing and ownership of energy projects. As African countries seek to localise green industries and shift from debt finance to more collaborative financing models, China's future role will depend on how it adapts to these changing priorities. The report offers insights on this topic, with the aim of informing policy dialogue and international cooperation on the financing of Africa's energy transitions.