Green Energy in Africa

Why does Sub-Saharan Africa continue to lag behind the rest of the world in infrastructure investment, and what can African governments do to attract investment?

Sub-Saharan Africa faces an energy trilemma: the majority of the African population does not have access to electricity, electricity is inequitably distributed on the continent and electricity generation for a number of African countries is derived from coal or fossil fuels - which presents an opportunity for Africa’s green energy development. As infrastructure challenges persist and the European Union’s carbon border adjustment mechanism poses a threat to economic growth, the transition to green energy is imperative.

The region has a natural resource abundance which is key to its green energy development. The recent discovery of lithium bodes well for the development of a battery storage manufacturing industry to support electricity generation. Further, funding to combat infrastructure challenges is available, but needs to be unlocked. A stable and predictable regulatory environment is also needed to attract further critical financing.

On Monday, March 20 from 12:30-2:00 PM EDT, join the Boston University African Studies Center and the Boston University Global Development Policy Center for a presentation from Tsitsi Musasike, sustainable development and project finance specialist, on green energy in Africa.

This talk is a part of the Spring 2023 Walter Rodney Seminar Series.