Envoy Seeks African Inclusion In China’s Solar Belt Programme

Nigeria’s Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, Ajuri Ngelale, has made a strong case for African inclusion in China’s ambitious Africa Solar Belt program.

The call came during a bilateral meeting with China’s Ecology Minister, Mr. Zhao Yingmin, on Thursday.

Ngelale emphasized that China’s new initiative would be incomplete without incorporating supply chain diversification into developing markets, particularly Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria.

“I further emphasized that China’s new Africa Solar Belt programme will be incomplete if it does not inculcate supply chain diversification into developing markets, especially Africa’s largest market,” Ngelale stated.

His proposal was reportedly well-received by the Chinese delegation, with expectations of further discussions on this topic in the near future.

During the talks, Ngelale stressed the importance of Nigerian workers benefiting from the energy transition on a mass scale.

The meeting also covered other areas of cooperation, including technical collaboration in afforestation and counter-desertification efforts, particularly in the vulnerable Lake Chad region.