It's time for pan-African energy solutions

March 28, 2025

The 2,115 MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant (JNHPP) project is complete, adding enough capacity to meet Tanzania's peak demand. The project was fully funded by the government at $2.9 billion and constructed by African contractors in a joint venture between two Egyptian companies.

  • The JNHPP is the largest completed hydropower plant in Africa. However, it will be overtaken in size by other big dams under construction, such as the 6,450 MW Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the 2,400 MW Batoka Gorge Dam, which is a joint project of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

  • The Tanzanian dam is expected to lower electricity costs by 10% and lead to an increase in GDP growth of two to three percent, according to World Bank estimates.

  • Our take: African countries should explore internal funding mechanisms or pursue pan-African solutions… Read more (2 min)

Robert Mbai, a resident of Kiambu, Kenya, experienced a challenge after he moved to an area without grid connection. This was a barrier to modern life. He needed a reliable power source, and fast. After months of inquiries and inflated quotes from solar companies, he decided to take matters into his own hands.

  • "I realised," Robert explained, "that the real power wasn't in the solar home systems; it was in the knowledge." He embarked on a four-month research journey, navigating a market rife with inconsistencies and information gaps. Online searches proved fruitless, and phone calls led to dead ends. He had no choice but to physically visit stores, comparing prices and specifications.

  • What he discovered was eye-opening. Solar companies were packaging outdated components and selling them at exorbitant prices to uninformed customers. "It felt like they were profiting from our ignorance," Robert said. "I wasn't going to let that happen."

  • To read more on Robert's solar journey, click here

Renewable energy companies are actively recruiting managers, with 16 out of 70+ newly listed positions focused on leadership roles. KenGen, Kenya's major power producer, is driving this trend with 6 open managerial positions, while Schneider Electric, Sun King, and Rubicon also seek experienced managers.

  • East Africa is hiring for most of the roles, with 24 open positions. They span various energy sub-sectors, including solar, wind and hydro, which is indicative of a diverse energy landscape.

  • The demand for specialised skills like those in SCADA and battery energy storage systems serves as a clear signal that African energy projects are growing in scale and placing greater emphasis on energy storage solutions.

  • Check out for next for your next job here.

Participants train in solar PV systems installation, maintenance, and operation in Dakar, Senegal

 

Events

🗓️ Attend Conference on Biodiversity, Energy Systems and Environment (Apr 1)

🗓️ Participate in the Annual Conference of Women In Energy in Africa (Apr 3)

🗓️ Register for 4th Business Conference Renewables in Mozambique (Apr 23)

Various 

💰 Africa Energy Bank aims to debut in the first half of 2025

🔌 Read the summary of Liberia’s National Energy Compact

💡 South Africa cabinet  approves the Renewable Energy Masterplan

Seen on LinkedIn 

Dr. Kabogere Christopher, CEO of YeYe Technology Consult, says, “In many African countries, including my motherland Uganda, the biggest threat to doing business isn’t just capital or markets — it’s energy. Entire regions still go days or weeks without stable power.”

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