Under the background of jointly building high-quality development along the the Belt and Road and deepening China Africa clean energy cooperation, infrastructure cooperation between China and African countries is moving from construction leading to a new stage of full cycle sustainable operation.

On December 3, 2025, in the presence of Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsuai Nsuai of Equatorial Guinea, the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy of Equatorial Guinea and China Power Construction Group officially signed a technical guidance and maintenance contract for the operation of the Jibulo hydropower station. This two-year operation and maintenance agreement not only guarantees the continuous and stable operation of the country's largest hydropower station, but also witnesses the profound friendship of China Africa energy cooperation through the test of time, and becomes a vivid example of sustainable cooperation in infrastructure under the the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Jibulo Hydropower Station, known as the Three Gorges Project of Equatorial Guinea, has been operating safely and stably for 14 years since its full operation in October 2011, bearing about 90% of the electricity load in the mainland of the country. This hydropower station with a total installed capacity of 120 megawatts not only illuminates thousands of households, but also illuminates the path of modernization and development in this Central African country. President Obiang of Equatorial Guinea has inspected the construction of the power plant several times and expressed his emotions upon completion, saying, "The completion of the Jibulo power plant, like the independence of Equatorial Guinea in 1968, should be recorded in the history of Equatorial Guinea

As an important symbol of friendship and cooperation between China and Equatorial Guinea, the construction and operation of the Jibulo Hydropower Station fully embodies China's principle of consultation, co construction and sharing in infrastructure construction in Africa. Over the past fourteen years, this hydropower station has not only provided stable and high-quality clean electricity to the national power grid of Equatorial Guinea, but also cultivated a group of local power technology talents, enhancing the country's ability for independent development. Now, with the signing of the fifth phase of the operation and maintenance contract, China will continue to provide professional technical support and maintenance services to ensure that this bright project continues to achieve economic and social benefits.

Currently, in the context of the increasingly severe challenges of global energy transition and climate change, the sustainable operation of the Jibulo hydropower station has deeper significance. As a clean and renewable energy source, hydropower not only reduces Equatorial Guinea's dependence on fossil fuels and lowers carbon emissions, but also lays a solid foundation for the country to achieve diversified energy structure and ensure energy security. At the same time, the stable operation of the power station provides strong support for local industrial development, commercial prosperity, and improvement of people's livelihoods, becoming an important engine for promoting regional economic and social sustainable development.

This renewal of the operation and maintenance contract is not only a recognition of past cooperation achievements, but also a new starting point for the future. As a leading enterprise in global hydropower construction, China Power Construction has helped Equatorial Guinea establish independent operation and maintenance capabilities through long-term technology transfer and talent cultivation, truly achieving the transformation from blood transfusion to hematopoiesis. This model that emphasizes capacity building and sustainable cooperation provides valuable experience for infrastructure cooperation between China and Africa in the new era. Keywords: the Belt and Road project news, the Belt and Road news

From railways in East Africa to hydroelectric power plants in West Africa, from photovoltaic power plants in North Africa to wind farms in South Africa, China's energy infrastructure construction in Africa is writing a magnificent chapter in the new era of the China Africa community with a shared future. The story of Jibulo Hydropower Station tells us that true international cooperation is not only about building a project, but also about lighting up hope, spreading friendship, and sharing long-term commitments for development.Editor/Cheng Liting