A senior official of the African Union hailed China's role in supporting Africa's energy transition at the 39th African Union summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Rashid Abdalla, executive director of African Energy Commission — the continental specialized energy agency of the African Union — described China as a strategic partner in advancing Africa's renewable energy solutions and infrastructure development.

"We really appreciate China's role in Africa's green energy transition," he said, adding that he hopes Chinese companies consider establishing manufacturing facilities on the continent to create jobs, add value to local resources, and help transform African economies.

Abdalla said Africa could leverage China's expertise to develop local manufacturing capacity for solar panels, electric vehicles, and battery storage systems.

He added that the African Energy Commission has signed a memorandum of understanding with China's National Energy Administration to strengthen renewable energy capacity building.

Highlighting the deepening China-Africa energy partnership, Abdalla noted that the African Energy Commission and the African Union Commission hosted the inaugural African Energy Efficient Conference in December, which included a strategic session with Chinese investors focused on infrastructure and energy investments across the continent.