The Spanish people have pinned high hopes on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's upcoming visit to China, hoping that the visit will result in stronger cooperation in trade, renewable energy and global governance as the two countries look to deepen ties amid a complex international landscape.
The visit, scheduled for April 11 to 15, is Sanchez's fourth visit to China in four years. It follows high-level exchanges between the two countries last year, including visits by the Spanish King and the prime minister. It is widely viewed as a key moment to consolidate bilateral relations and strengthen communication between China and Europe.
In Madrid, residents expressed hope for closer ties.
"I think strengthening cooperation in science, technology and trade is the most important thing for both Spain and China," said Manuel, a local resident.
"I hope more Chinese companies will do business in Spain. Many Chinese firms are strong and active in advanced sectors like renewable energy, where I work. This would bring more business opportunities," said another resident Patricia.
China is a key partner for Spain within the European Union. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both nations, bilateral relations have maintained a high level of development, with solid progress in various fields that has tangibly benefited the people of both countries.
Spanish international relations expert Juan Arguello noted that amid current global energy price volatility and rising geopolitical uncertainty, Spain is seeking more diverse and pragmatic foreign cooperation.
"This visit is of great importance, and the timing is critical, especially with international energy prices continuing to rise. Spain imports a large amount of technology products from China, including batteries. Sanchez is also looking to accelerate the energy transition and open up new markets by deepening ties with China," he said.
Spanish public expects PM's China visit to boost bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors
Spanish public expects PM's China visit to boost bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors
Spanish public expects PM's China visit to boost bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors
The fuel crisis across parts of Africa has renewed calls for the continent to reduce its reliance on imported refined petroleum products and boost domestic energy self-sufficiency.
Despite being home to major oil producers, Africa depends heavily on imports of petrol and diesel due to limited local refining capacity. The continent exports raw crude oil while spending billions to import finished fuels, a cycle economists say costs African economies more than 80 billion U.S. dollars annually.
Africa imports an estimated 1.5 million to 2 million barrels of refined petroleum products daily, primarily from the Middle East, according to industry data.
The International Monetary Fund identifies four nations as the dominant forces in African crude production. Nigeria leads Sub-Saharan Africa with output exceeding 1.6 million barrels per day and holds significant reserves of light, low-sulfur crude. Libya possesses the continent's largest proven reserves at over 48 billion barrels and produces more than 1.3 million barrels per day despite periodic political instability. Algeria produces over 1 million barrels per day, serving as a key supplier to Europe, while Angola also outputs roughly 1 million barrels per day.
Infrastructure improvements are underway. In West Africa, Nigeria's Dangote Refinery has scaled up operations with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. The facility now meets nearly 80 percent of Nigeria's domestic petrol needs, significantly reducing the country's import dependency. Angola is reportedly pursuing similar downstream projects.
At a recent regional summit, officials discussed plans for a joint refinery in Tanga, Tanzania. The proposed facility would pool resources to refine crude oil from Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Debate continues over the timing of these investments. Skeptics argue that multi-billion-dollar oil refineries risk becoming stranded assets as the global economy shifts toward renewable energy. However, East African leaders maintain that immediate action is necessary to address current energy shortages.
Beyond fossil fuels, Africa holds 60 percent of the world's highest-quality solar resources along with substantial wind and hydropower potential. Yet, the International Energy Agency reports that the continent utilizes less than 6 percent of its solar capacity and leaves 85 percent of its hydropower potential untapped.
High interest rates make financing green energy projects expensive, and weak local electricity grids struggle to distribute power efficiently, the agency said.
Calls grow for Africa to achieve energy self-sufficiency
