(Video edited by Zhang Wei & Liu Jian) 

The African Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI), launched in 2015 by the African Union (AU), is an Africa-owned and led effort to harness the continent’s huge renewable energy potential. Under this initiative, Guinea is seeking to become the number one provider of renewable energy in West Africa, with a potential of more than 6,000 megawatts installed capacity. In order to achieve its goal, Guinea will need reliable partners, one such being China, which has positioned itself as a result-focused champion for Africa’s green energy ambitions. 

Ahead of the 22nd Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22) in Marrakesh, Morocco, Paulo Gomes, special advisor to the Guinean President Alpha Condé, spoke to ChinAfrica reporter Liu Jian in Beijing on how China-Africa renewable energy cooperation can help transform the continent.