YES! 2023 – Jennifer Boca, Head – Responsible Investment, Lekela Advisors

In the realm of energy infrastructure, Africa stands at a pivotal juncture. The continent, with its ever-expanding population and growing economy, faces a pressing need for reliable and sustainable energy sources. To give a deeper understanding of the present condition of utilities in Africa, as of 2022, an estimated 600 million people, or about 43% […]

Africa's industrial future will be decided less by what lies under the ground than by what is built above it. At the Africa Energy Forum, John Giordano, US Ambassador to the Republic of Namibia, made the case that industrialisation is a connectivity story, and that investment follows once a country shows it is stable and governed by the rule of law.

New pledges of $900 million were announced on 9 July at a virtual meeting of the co-chairs, after the Nairobi summit was postponed. A new programme responds to Strait of Hormuz disruption that the IEA says affected 30 per cent of globally traded LPG.

The European Union announced the package in Luxembourg on 15 June, combining an EIB Global loan with Commission grants to carry 22GW of renewable capacity. It is the first project under T-MED, and it deliberately excludes the proposed subsea cable to Greece.

Off-grid systems accounted for 25 per cent of national connectivity against 59.6 per cent on the grid, according to Rwanda Energy Group. A results-based programme backed by the African Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank now stands at $300 million.

Seriti Green signed a further R10bn at Bethal on Friday as the first 155MW of Ummbila Emoyeni entered commercial operation, taking committed investment to R25bn. President Cyril Ramaphosa attended and said the company would reach R40bn, with a second wind development of 600MW planned beside it and 187 turbines between the two.

NTCSA moved the launch from 1 April to the third quarter after an assessment with NERSA found more work was needed on operational and regulatory readiness. The regulator granted the company its Market Operator Licence in December, and only certified participants will be able to trade.

Ever Great Energy is developing the plant with majority partner Wonderful Group Services, and the Singapore contractor Ziquan Group holds the turnkey construction scope. A second phase would take capacity to 600MW within five years of the first being completed. ZCCM-IH says it is engaging with the relevant authorities.