Wealthy nations are pushing dirty energy on developing countries in Africa - even when the wealthy countries are developing green energy strategies at home.

The study by Oil Change International estimated aid to Africa's energy sector was US$59.5 Billion (AU$80.3 Billion) between 2014 and 2016.  Analysts found that 60 percent of this public aid for energy projects in Africa was spent on fossil fuels, compared with just 18 percent on renewables. 

Of all the groups looking to gain economic toeholds in Africa, China gave the most to the energy sector - US$5 Billion.   Fossil fuels accounted for 88 percent of that, and Beijing did not appear to finance any renewable projects on the continent. 

After China, the World Bank Group (WBG), Japan, and Germany were the biggest contributors to energy projects, the vast majority of which was fossil fuel extraction.  Coal-fired power plants accounted for a much smaller share.  The report showed less than two percent of aid to Africa's energy sector went to renewables.

"These countries are using their aid budgets to promote development in Africa on one hand, while their climate change-causing subsidies cancel out these gains with the other," said Mohamed Adow, international climate change lead at Christian Aid.  "Rich countries must stop pushing their dirty energy on Africa and use their wealth to provide energy that is clean, green and will serve Africa and the world for years to come."