Recently, the Energy and Environmental Development Research Center (EED) secured a consultancy contract for the project titled “Feasibility Study on Nigeria’s Participation in the Africa Solar Belt Initiative under the South-South Cooperation Framework for Climate Change Response.” The client is the Center for International Cooperation and Exchange, Ministry of Ecology and Environment (CICEE). This achievement marks another success for EED in national-level international environmental cooperation. It demonstrates EED’s professional expertise in renewable energy policy research and international consultancy services. It also shows that EED is actively contributing to South-South Cooperation on climate action, sharing China’s wisdom to building a clean and beautiful world.

I. Advancing South-South Cooperation: China’s Approach to Global Climate Action

In 2021, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) adopted the Declaration on China-Africa Cooperation on Combating Climate Change. In 2023, the Africa Solar Belt Initiative was officially launched. It is a flagship action of China’s international climate cooperation. The initiative uses a model of material assistance, dialogue, joint research, and capacity building. It focuses on solar and clean energy needs in Africa, helping to address power shortages and promote low-carbon development. To date, cooperation documents have been signed with several countries, turning the vision into reality.

II. Focusing on Nigeria’s Lekki Demonstration Zone: A Belt and Road Low-Carbon Development Benchmark

In November 2024, China and Nigeria signed a memorandum of understanding during COP29. Both countries agreed to jointly establish the Lekki Low-Carbon Demonstration Zone under the “Africa Solar Belt” Initiative. The project aims to create a model for low-carbon development within the Belt and Road Initiative’s (BRI) integrated economic zones.

Nigeria has significant clean energy potential. EED will conduct systematic research on policies, energy structure, and resource endowments. It will then carry out technical, economic, and climate-benefit analyses, including carbon emission reduction calculations. The results will provide scientific support for project approval and directly inform the planning of the demonstration zone. This will create a replicable model for green transition.

III. EED’s Professional Commitment: Delivering Expertise for National Development Cooperation

EED has more than two decades of experience in environmental and sustainable development. It has long supported key projects for government agencies and international financial institutions. This has given EED deep expertise in international rules, cross-cultural implementation, and policy research.

For this project, EED will deliver a high-quality feasibility study on schedule, providing critical decision-making support for China-Nigeria clean energy cooperation. Committed to professionalism, rigor, pragmatism, and efficiency, EED will complete all tasks as required. It will help tell China’s story of green development cooperation, empower Chinese companies to go global with green compliance, and contribute its professional expertise to global sustainable development.

Looking ahead, EED will continue to leverage its strengths in energy and environment, international cooperation, dual-carbon planning, and green global expansion. It will deeply engage in national development cooperation and global climate governance, working with partners to build a clean and beautiful world.