Browsing: renewable energy

• Africa will eventually rely primarily on renewable energy, as much of the rest of the world strives to — but on its own timetable.
• To achieve a carbon neutral future, African nations must have the underlying infrastructure and industry to make the dominance of renewables possible.
• But as things currently stand, most African states lack said infrastructure and industry.

There’s a promising future for African renewables as the continent strives to balance its current reliance on fossil fuels. That’s the prediction of the African Energy Chamber’s 2025 Outlook Report on the State of African Energy.

As I have said before, Africa will eventually rely primarily on renewable energy, as much of the rest of the world strives to — but on its own timetable, not that of Western countries who have benefited for centuries from the exploitation of fossil fuels.

To achieve a carbon neutral future, African nations must have …

• The World Bank is leading Mission 300 Africa energy summit in Dar es Salaam.
• Currently, over 600 million people in Africa lack access to electricity.
• World Bank, IMF commit 30 million to the Mission goals

The World Bank Mission 300 energy summit has described Tanzania as a lighthouse and beacon for other African nations to follow when it comes to producing and distributing electricity to its people. The statement was made at the World Bank led Mission 300 Africa energy summit, which brings together Heads of State from all across the continent alongside development partners and private sector players.

The summit’s main goal is to commit key stakeholders to ambitious reforms and actions to expand access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to 300 million people in Africa by 2030. “300 million of 600 million is not a small number. It is an enormous task and in the past, …

• Mission 300 will invest in new and rehabilitation of generation capacity, transmission systems, including intra- and regional interconnections, as well as distribution grids to build robust and reliable power systems.
• It will be complemented by reforms in the energy sector to ensure affordability and sustainability of electricity service, and financially viable utilities.

Across Africa, nearly 600 million people live in energy poverty, deprived of reliable access to electricity—a fundamental prerequisite for modern life. This staggering statistic represents more than just a lack of power.  Significantly, it translates to limited opportunities for education, healthcare, gender equality, and economic growth.

Mission 300, a bold initiative championed by the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group in collaboration with key partners, seeks to change this narrative by providing first time electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030.  A key milestone in this effort, branded Mission 300, is the Africa …

• North Africa already has the requisite abundant natural resources and developing infrastructure to support a massive expansion in green hydrogen production.
• The region boasts some of the highest solar irradiation levels globally, making it an ideal location for solar-powered hydrogen production.
• Countries like Morocco and Egypt have already initiated projects like the Noor Ouarzazate Solar Thermal Complex and the Benban Solar Complex, respectively, which could serve as the backbone for the industry.

While much of our attention at the African Energy Chamber (AEC) concentrates on efforts to industrialize the sub-Saharan regions, as covered in our recently released 2025 Outlook Report, The State of African Energy, the more developed North African nations have seen recent progress in the renewables field, in green hydrogen specifically, that deserves our recognition.

Many are likely unfamiliar with the technology behind the production of this fuel source, and the subject requires at least a brief explanation.…

• So far, South Africa and Senegal are the only African countries to have agreed to a Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP), with South Africa securing a deal for $8.5 billion, while Senegal secured one for $2.7 billion.
• How South Africa and Senegal intend to leverage these deals differ drastically, however, as do their power generation circumstances.
• Currently, coal continues to dominate South Africa’s energy portfolio, at over 80 per cent of the country’s power generation mix.

Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP) have been introduced in recent years to provide financial support to developing nations as they transition away from fossil fuels. In 2021, during the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), South Africa became the first nation to sign such a deal. Senegal and the International Partners Group (IGP) signed a JETP in June 2023.

I have said before that the best way for Western countries, and …

• Decentralized power generation—typically based on solar home systems and mini-grids—is the best bet to eradicate energy poverty among people in more isolated rural areas.
• By decentralizing power generation, Africa can secure a sustainable energy future and improve the lives of millions of people.
• Standalone power systems or localized power networks (otherwise known as “mini-grids”) have become efficient means of power that utilize solar in combination with battery storage and backup generators.

Think about a time when your electricity went out. As you sat in the dark, maybe you wondered how long it would be before you could power up your computer again. Or perhaps you considered what you could make for dinner that didn’t require cooking.

Many people in Africa don’t need to imagine such a scenario — they live it. Every day.

A large portion of the continent, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, lacks access to reliable and affordable electricity. …

• Research by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) shows that demand for critical minerals will drive the quest to decarbonize economies and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
• Africa could be the go to industrialization destination by adding value to the critical minerals on the continent.
• Africa’s commitment to trade-led economic integration should be leveraged to support the development of minerals-based regional and continental value chains and economic diversification.

Africa—rich in critical minerals—will accelerate intra-continental trade and harness its natural resources for sustainable development by rolling out effective trade policies, to benefit from the global rush for green energy transition.

With approximately 30 per cent of the world’s mineral reserves, including cobalt, lithium, and nickel, which are considered essential for the green transition, African countries need to exploit these resources to drive its development, particularly trade and industrialization, experts say.

An Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on Africa’s Critical Minerals in …

• With its vast rivers and elevated terrains, Ethiopia is one of Africa’s most hydropower-rich nations.
• According to the International Hydropower Association, Ethiopia’s untapped rivers could generate up to 45,000 MW of electricity.
• However, While Ethiopia could evolve into a regional ticket to energy independence, some nations like Egypt and Sudan have expressed concerns over water access and environmental impact.

Ethiopia has long harboured dreams of becoming a renewable energy powerhouse. With its vast rivers and elevated terrains, it is one of Africa’s most hydropower-rich nations.

And as global pressure mounts to curb fossil fuel dependency, the country’s hydropower ambitions offer a glimpse into a future where East Africa’s energy needs could be sustainably met.

With expanding projects such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and various regional power-sharing agreements underway, Ethiopia is moving beyond its borders, positioning itself as a critical player in East Africa’s renewable energy push.

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• Africa’s blue and green economy is projected to be the new avenue that will drive investments in Africa
• The continent, with its vast coastline and rich marine resources, is poised to harness the immense potential of Africa’s blue and green economy
• According to ADFDB, 80 per cent of global trade is maritime. Oceans also provide billions of people with food, medicine, renewable energy, and natural resources.

Three Kenyan startups are among ten selected across the continent to benefit from $550,000 (Sh70.7 million) in capital to grow their operations towards boosting Africa’s blue and green economy sectors.

Kenya produced the highest number of startups on the list (three), followed by Rwanda with two. South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Tanzania each produced one enterprise.

From Kenya, Samaking, Plas Tech, and Ark will each receive $55,000 (Sh7.1 million) in funding to expand across Africa.

These ten ventures are part of the innovative, …

• Energy experts warn that the shortages that plague Africa’s electricity access in 2024 will have a significant drain on the continent’s economic growth.
• World Bank will connect 300 million Africans to electricity with a $35 billion plan.
• Africa is poised to adapt to transformative advancements that will reshape the landscape of energy access, storage, and connectivity across the continent.

Africa remains the most energy-deficient continent, with approximately 75 per cent of its population lacking access to electricity. As of 2021, 43 per cent of Africans, roughly 600 million people, were without electricity access, with 590 million in sub-Saharan Africa. Consequently, nearly half of the continent’s population is unable to use basic electrical appliances.

Despite improvements in electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa, where 49.4 per cent of the population had access in 2022, up from 33 per cent in 2010, electricity consumption has not seen a corresponding increase. The persistent lack …