Africa stands at the threshold of a transformative clean energy transition, with its abundant water resources poised to drive sustainable development and economic growth. However, with only a fraction of the continent's hydropower potential tapped, urgent calls for accelerated development reverberate across the region.
Recent data indicates a notable upswing in hydropower development, with 2023 witnessing nearly double the installation of hydropower capacity compared to the previous year, totaling 2 gigawatts (GW) across the continent. Key contributors to this surge include Nigeria, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania.
Public-private partnerships are instrumental in facilitating the financing and execution of major projects, while regional cooperation initiatives offer promising pathways for further development. However, challenges such as limited access to finance, volatility, and governance issues impede infrastructure expansion.
African Development Bank (AfDB) initiatives are at the forefront of addressing these challenges, with a recent commitment of US$1 billion towards the rehabilitation of 12 hydropower plants across the continent.
The latest insights from the International Hydropower Association (IHA) underscore Africa's immense growth potential in the sector, emphasizing the need for enhanced global collaboration and investment.
Eddie Rich, CEO of IHA, emphasized the importance of realizing Africa's hydropower potential amidst the increasing integration of solar power into the continent's energy mix. He remarked, “The development of hydropower in Africa is not just about generating electricity; it's about empowering communities, driving economic growth, and charting a sustainable path towards a clean energy future.”
Lamu Audu, Managing Director/CEO of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited and Vice-Chair of IHA, echoed the sentiment, stressing the significance of strategic partnerships and innovative investment frameworks in unlocking Africa's hydropower potential. Audu stated, “We need to turn aspirations into action, propelling Africa towards a future powered by clean, sustainable energy.”
The forthcoming release of the Africa section of the 2024 World Hydropower Outlook sets the stage for deeper insights into the continent's hydropower landscape, slated for June 12, 2024.
