A new report by the Energy for Growth Hub says African countries can secure better outcomes from Chinese-backed power projects by following Ghana’s approach to infrastructure development. The Washington-based think tank found that Ghana successfully delivered five Chinese-supported solar, hydro, and gas projects between 2013 and 2020 with fewer delays, lower costs, and stronger quality control than many comparable projects across Africa. The think tank identified four replicable lessons: establishing cost benchmarks before negotiations, requiring competitive tendering processes, retaining skilled expert negotiators, and investing in robust construction oversight. The report emphasized that host governments—which typically own project assets and carry associated debt—must proactively control project terms, standards, and delivery rather than ceding that authority to external financiers or contractors.
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