Regional

Multiple wind turbines set against a sunset sky
Regional

Unleashing Africa’s Potential, in ‘Private’

The private sector will play a crucial role in channelling innovation towards universal access ambitions The rate of electrification in sub-Saharan Africa needs to triple in order to achieve universal access by 2030, and the private sector will be absolutely pivotal in helping to realise that aim. This is due to the simultaneous need to […]
Regional

Bioenergy offers Africa a sustainable future

What are the benefits and costs of scaling-up the commercial production of bioenergy in Africa? Does biofuel really have to displace food production? Reports Ben Payton Producing energy from bio-based materials, advocates suggest, offers a means for Africa to take a huge leap towards net zero carbon emissions. It will, they say, also boost rural livelihoods […]
East Africa

Growing Plans

Martijn Proos,the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund, a Private Infrastructure Development Group Company Last year, it was announced that EAIF plans to raise as much as $500 million over the next three years to invest in infrastructure projects on the continent. How is that going? EAIF has raised more capital amidst a significant economic downturn – while […]
East Africa

Kengen Picked As Country Host As Nairobi Opens Doors To Aef 2023: 25 Years Of Participation Leads To A Hosting Opportunity For Kenya’s Energy Pioneers

Back in 1998, Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) became the first public utility to confirm attendance at the inaugural Africa Energy Forum (AEF). A quarter of a century later, the leading electricity generator in East Africa and a leading global geothermal developer will profit from its unwavering loyalty, as Kenya’s capital, Nairobi opens its […]
Regional

Can Africa states turn green hydrogen ambitions into reality?

African countries are in a race against time to establish themselves as renewables-driven hubs to supply escalating global demand for green hydrogen, reports Ian Lewis Green hydrogen production is becoming established as one of those new industries with a seemingly assured future in which African countries and their copious renewable energy resources are well positioned […]
Finance

Droughts Raise Doubts over Hydro’s Future Role in Africa

Uncertainties surround the outlook for hydropower in Africa, but new projects of varying sizes continue to gain access to financing across the continent, reports Ben Payton In Zambia and Zimbabwe, electricity has become a precious commodity over the past few months. The two countries have been enduring severe power cuts since late last year. In […]
Regional

One Rule for Them?

Hydrocarbons-related projects across the globe are finding it harder to get a hearing these days. But, asks James Gavin, is Africa still being held to tougher standards than other parts of the world?
Regional

African Wind Power Struggles to Gain Momentum

Few African countries are harnessing wind energy on a significant scale – but South Africa offers a potential model for the rest of the continent, writes Ben Payton Africa has a gaping hole in its energy supply. Six hundred million people, around half of the continent’s population, lack access to electricity. Without much faster progress, […]
Energy access

Access To Reliable And Affordable Off-Grid Energy To Be Transformed Across Benin Under New Eib – Engie Energy Access Initiative

Households, smallholders and entrepreneurs in remote locations across Benin will be able to access reliable and cheap electricity for the first time under a new off-grid solar scheme agreed between leading solar energy company ENGIE Energy Access and the European Investment Bank, one of the world’s largest financiers of renewable energy.   The European Investment […]
Regional

Gridworks And The Government Of Uganda Announce Pilot Project For Private Investment In The Country’s Electricity Transmission Sector

Each has been identified as a priority by Uganda’s national transmission utility (UETCL) in its latest Grid Development Plan. Gridworks will develop and finance the project – providing up to US$90m equity funding – with Siemens undertaking the upgrade work on the four substations. Investment in the transmission sector is critical to realise the Ugandan government’s development […]
Finance

Financing Challenges and Opportunities in Africa

Lion’s Head Global Partners Managing Director James Doree speaks to Bill Lumley about progress in funding Africa’s energy transition. How do Lion’s Head funds play a role in Africa’s energy transition? It comes down partly to what we mean by energy transition. Our funds all have the ethos of targeting an issue and being able […]
Finance

Going Private

IPPs across Africa are growing in size and scale, thanks to their ability to attract a more diverse array of financing. James Gavin reports. Over time, independent power projects (IPPs) have emerged as Africa’s fastest growing energy sector structures, spreading in popularity across borders and meeting with a surfeit of investment as private sector backers […]

Energy news