Firms push envelope with bright ideas to deliver energy to Africa
The majority of mainstream efforts focus on large-scale solar infrastructure development, while much of the continent’s potential lies in the off-grid space, write Tsakane Ngoepe and Tine Henriksen
A report by the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the UCT Graduate School of Business said in 2015 that in terms of current trends, it would take until 2080 for every African to have access to electricity. However, despite this rather gloomy prediction, lights are switching on across the continent thanks to the ingenuity of energy entrepreneurs and their funders. While more than 600-million people in Africa lack access to clean, safe and affordable energy, innovations in solar technology, mobile payments and distribution models are increasingly enabling greater levels of affordable access. In support of these innovations, the industry has seen committed capital of at least $30bn over the next five years from public and private funders – all focused on Africa for access to energy. However, access to finance remains the number one restriction to scale, according to energy access enterprises. Based on workshops and consultations with more than 100 industry rep...
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