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The Future of Africa’s Energy Sector: Balancing Fossil Fuels and Renewables (By NJ Ayuk)

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1 year ago

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Fossil Fuels

Africa accounts for 3.3% of the global power generation, with a total power generation of over 980 terawatt hours

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, February 26, 2025/APO Group/ —By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber (www.EnergyChamber.org).

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 underlying infrastructure and industry to make the dominance of renewables possible. As things currently stand, most African states lack said infrastructure and industry, and the most feasible and expedient way for them to achieve both is through leveraging the abundant oil and gas resources so many of them possess.

As our report finds:

  • Fossil fuels account for 72% of Africa’s power generation. South Africa and Egypt are Africa’s leading producers, and their dominance will continue into the next decade.
  • Renewables account for over 27% of Africa’s power generation and are projected to increase to 43% by the end of this decade.
  • Africa accounts for 3.3% of the global power generation, with a total power generation of over 980 terawatt hours.
  • 13 GW of utility-scale solar PV and wind projects are under construction – South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia and Algeria account for over 75% of this capacity.

No Electricity at All

Africa will reach a point where we will rely primarily on low carbon and renewable energy

There are also significant challenges facing Africa’s energy sectors, as we cover in detail in our report.

The most pressing of those challenges is the fact that many rural areas across Africa are underserved and lack the necessary power infrastructure to access any electricity at all. In fact, of the 685 million people worldwide living without access to electricity, 590 million (86%) live in Africa. Conversely, even in well-served areas electricity is not cheap and reliable, as population and urbanization growth have outpaced the growth of power infrastructure, placing additional strain on the existing power systems. Many African households still rely on alternative, less efficient energy sources such as biomass, kerosene, etc., for heating and cooking.

One practical solution to these challenges is Western investment.

Western investment — providing both funds and technology — will help expand our existing infrastructure into underserved areas and harness our natural resources, and that will go a long way toward improving economic conditions across the continent. This will in turn improve energy affordability for many Africans as it becomes both more widely available and cheaper to access.

But where and in what should the West invest? That is up to them, but there are many development opportunities across the continent right now. I will cover just a few of the most promising, according to our outlook report.

What we found is that most North African countries see 90% access rates for electricity and are looking to enhance their power sectors while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The bulk of renewable power share increases by the end of the decade will almost certainly be seated in this region. In contrast, sub-Saharan countries will continue to fight low electricity access for some time. They have been able to increase access to 55% currently, up from 38.3% in 2010. These countries will be ripe for investment, expanding the grid and production infrastructure to improve electrical access.

We also found that hydropower continues to dominate in East Africa, which has some of the largest dams in the world generating 19% of Africa’s overall power generation and providing up to 90% of the available power for countries such as Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is nearing completion and is expected to generate 15,760 GWh annually once fully operational. The project is of such importance to the region that it has sparked diplomatic cooperation between the Nile-bound countries of Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan in an effort to ensure equitable sharing of the river’s precious waters. Other currently ongoing projects such as Ethiopia’s Gibe III Dam (1870 MW), Zambia and Zimbabwe’s Kariba Dam (1830 MW) and Ghana’s Akosombo Dam (1020 MW) also speak to promising future growth and development opportunities for those willing to get their feet wet in the central and eastern parts of the continent along the Congo and Nile rivers, where nearly 90% of the continent’s hydroelectric potential remains untapped.

Geothermal power in Africa is currently dominated by Kenya, which to date is the seventh largest producer of geothermal power. Kenya’s estimated geothermal power potential is roughly 10 GW, but current operation capacity only allows 1 GW to be harnessed.

International investment is what launched Kenya’s geothermal power in the first place, with the United Nation’s development program providing the requisite research and funds in 1972 to establish the country’s first geothermal plant by the 1980s. Since then, Kenya has expanded independently, creating the state-owned Geothermal Development Company (GDC) in 2008 to both speed up geothermal advancements and lower the initial investment risk for foreign investment.

Solar Power: A Light in the Dark

Solar power offers a veritable gold mine of opportunity given Africa’s high irradiance levels: nearly 80% of the continent receives more than 2 MWh per square meter. This amounts to a solar PV potential of 1 million terawatt hours per year and a solar thermal potential of over 500,000 terawatt hours (for reference, a single terawatt hour is enough to light over 1 million homes for a year). Yet to date, Africa only generates over 35 TWh and 3.3 TWh from solar PV and solar thermal, respectively. Over 13 GW of utility-scale solar PV and wind projects are currently under construction, with hundreds more GW of capacity in the concept phase..

I would like to reiterate: Africa will reach a point where we will rely primarily on low carbon and renewable energy. But we cannot get to that point without building the proper infrastructure, and we cannot fund the building of said infrastructure without leveraging our natural resources, oil and gas being chief among them. If the west wishes to speed along Africa’s progress on this front, the best way is to work with African as partners and investors working towards common goals.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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How the Product Leadership Accelerator (PLA) is Re-Engineering African Enterprises for a Digital-First Economy

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3 hours ago

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May 21, 2026

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Leadership

As Africa looks to technology for the next wave of economic evolution, the PLA stands at the center of that journey, turning the SVPG Product Operating Model into a reality for the continent’s most innovative and ambitious enterprises

LAGOS, Nigeria, May 20, 2026/APO Group/ –As the global community celebrates World Product Day, a profound shift is taking place across Africa’s enterprise landscape. The Product Leadership Accelerator (PLA), www.AfricaPLA.com, an initiative of the Innovate Africa Foundation, is officially setting a new gold standard for how value is created and scaled, in Africa, by transforming African enterprises from traditional service providers into high-velocity, “product-led” engines of growth.

 

The PLA is bridging the gap between legacy business models and the modern Product Operating Model. This methodology, practiced by global companies like Apple, Netflix and Amazon, is now being localized, through the PLA, to ensure African enterprises and startups alike solve the continent’s toughest challenges through relentless innovation and de-risked execution.

Building a Pan-African Product Management Talent Pipeline

The PLA is currently powering its 2026 Accelerator Program, a rigorous 12-week program featuring 48 product managers from 13 African countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya. In a significant move for gender equity in tech, the cohort maintains a female representation of about 54%, ensuring the future of African product leadership is as diverse as the markets it serves.

As the fellows tackle real-world problem statements across diverse industries during the 12 week accelerator program, they are mentored by an elite roster of practitioners who have built products at enterprises such as Interswitch, Netflix, Amazon, Microsoft, Paystack, and mPesa. They also receive strategic, high-level guidance from global product legends Marty Cagan and SVPG Partner Christian Idiodi.

“Building in Africa requires a distinct level of empathy, adaptability, and mastery of the product operating model,” explains Nkem Nweke, Lead at the PLA. “We empower leaders and enterprises to harness tools like AI while offering them strategic product management advisory. Our goal is to support companies in adopting a product-led culture which drives sustainable economic growth. By mitigating risks before investing significant capital or public resources, we help both enterprises and startups create solutions that truly meet market and consumer needs.”

Enterprise Transformation and Proven Outcomes

Our goal is to raise product leaders who are deeply versed in the mechanics of discovery and delivery

The impact of the PLA extends deep into the corporate sector through its specialized Product Management Advisory. Organizations reliant on technology spanning telecoms, FMCG, commerce, retail, finance, and government, are increasingly seeking to leverage the PLA’s expertise to shift their product teams from traditional project-based approaches to outcome-driven product cultures that drive growth.

The effectiveness of the PLA’s approach is best seen through its corporate partnerships. Afrinvest, a leading financial institution, serves as a primary example of how the PLA’s advisory services drive immediate corporate value.

“The PLA didn’t just upskill one individual; it has been a game-changer for our internal innovation culture, sparking a ripple effect of outcome-driven progress throughout our entire product department. “says Victor Ndukauba, Deputy MD, West Africa Afrinvest. “Seeing the speed at which our team can now identify and solve real consumer problems is why we’ve increased our participation this year.”

This sentiment is echoed by partners like Insight7, One Cluster and Agile Product Management, who view the PLA as the engine room for the continent’s digital maturity.

Central to this transformation is integrating tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI), enabling product managers to achieve world-class standards, driving efficiency, and ensuring African businesses set the pace for global innovation.

De-Risking African-Built Solutions

For founders, the stakes have never been higher. “Our goal is to raise product leaders who are deeply versed in the mechanics of discovery and delivery, ” notes Osa Awani, Head of Program at the PLA. “We see the shift happening in real-time as our fellows move from theoretical knowledge to building solutions that address market friction with surgical precision.” When founders and Product Managers master the product operating model, they stop guessing; and with a commitment to solving real problems, African product leaders will not only compete globally they will lead.”

Impact by the Numbers

  • 13 Countries: Active representation in the 2026 cohort, including Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Cameroun, Egypt and more.
  • 54%+ Female Representation: Leading the charge in inclusive tech leadership.
  • Scores of Scholarships: The Innovate Africa Foundation has provided scholarships to dozens of African product managers to attend prestigious SVPG Masterclasses, resulting in career promotions, career pivots to executive leadership, and the launch of new tech ventures.
  • 3-City Product Tour: Recently concluded engagements with product leaders across Lagos, Nairobi, and Cape Town.

A Future Defined by Innovation

Founded by Christian Idiodi, (partner at the globally renowned Silicon Valley Product Group),  the PLA is rooted in the belief that the intersection of world-class tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and strategic product management is essential to mastering the craft of creating exceptional products for Africa; thereby unlocking Africa’s economic potential. By offering cutting-edge tools, a robust network, and the innovative mindset of the world’s most successful organizations, the PLA ensures Africa’s challenges are addressed with future-ready, world-class solutions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Product Leadership Accelerator (PLA).

 

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Congo’s Minister Onanga to Fast-Track Deals, Drive Local Content and Expand Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) in New Investment Push

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3 hours ago

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May 21, 2026

By

Congo

High-level talks between the Republic of Congo’s Minister of Hydrocarbons Stev Simplice Onanga and the African Energy Chamber focused on accelerating deal flow, strengthening local content and SNPC, and advancing FLNG expansion to position the country as a regional gas hub

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, May 20, 2026/APO Group/ –The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.AfricanEnergyChamber.org) has reinforced its strategic partnership with the Republic of Congo following a high-level meeting between Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk and newly appointed Minister of Hydrocarbons Stev Simplice Onanga in Brazzaville this week, setting the stage for a renewed push to accelerate investment, strengthen local capacity and expand the country’s LNG footprint.

 

Held shortly after Minister Onanga’s appointment, the meeting underscored a shared commitment to faster, more efficient deal-making across Congo’s oil and gas sector. Both sides emphasized that reducing delays in project approvals and execution will be critical to maintaining Congo’s competitiveness and attracting new capital into upstream and gas development.

 

A key focus of discussions was the development of a stronger local industry. Minister Onanga outlined a clear ambition to see Congolese companies grow beyond traditional service roles to become operators, license holders and regional players capable of competing across African markets. This includes building companies that not only support domestic projects, but can also export expertise and services beyond Congo.

 

The AEC welcomed this vision, committing to work closely with the Ministry to help develop a new generation of competitive Congolese firms. This effort will focus on strengthening technical capacity, expanding access to opportunities in field development and drilling, and ensuring local companies are positioned to participate more meaningfully across the value chain.

 

In parallel, Minister Onanga called for enhanced collaboration to strengthen Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), with the goal of transforming it into one of Africa’s leading national oil companies. The vision is for SNPC to evolve beyond its current partnership model with international oil companies to take on a more operational role – managing assets, leading projects and driving exploration and production both domestically and, over time, internationally.

 

“Congo is focused on building a stronger national energy ecosystem from the ground up,” said Ayuk. “We agreed with the Minister on the need to develop Congolese companies into competitive players that can scale beyond borders. Strengthening SNPC is central to this, so it becomes a more active operator, managing and developing assets. This is about building long-term capacity in-country and positioning Congo as a leading force in African energy.”

With Minister Onanga, we’re seeing a real commitment to getting things done – moving deals faster, empowering Congolese companies and scaling LNG

 

Beyond local industry development, the meeting reinforced Congo’s broader ambition to strengthen its position within Africa’s energy landscape. Minister Onanga highlighted his intention to align national strategy with continental priorities, drawing on his experience as former Chair of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) Board of Governors. Continued engagement with institutions such as APPO and OPEC will remain central to this approach.

 

Gas development – particularly floating LNG (FLNG) – emerged as another key pillar of the discussion. Congo has already made significant progress through projects such as Eni’s Congo LNG development, where the 0.6 mtpa Tango FLNG and the upcoming Nguya FLNG facility are expected to increase the country’s LNG export capacity to around 3 mtpa.

 

Building on this momentum, discussions pointed to the potential for additional FLNG developments. With ongoing conversations around new projects and favorable conditions aligning, a future FLNG expansion could further scale production and reshape Congo’s role in the regional gas market. Expanding capacity would not only strengthen export revenues, but also support domestic gas utilization and industrial growth.

 

“With Minister Onanga, we’re seeing a real commitment to getting things done – moving deals faster, empowering Congolese companies and scaling LNG,” added Ayuk. “The stars are aligning for Congo to lead the continent in floating LNG. If this momentum continues, there’s no doubt the country can position itself as one of Africa’s leading gas hubs.”

 

With a renewed focus on fast-tracked investment, local industry development and LNG expansion, the AEC’s engagement with Congo signals a more execution-driven phase for the country’s energy sector – one aimed at building in-country value, strengthening regional influence and delivering long-term growth.

 

 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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PayPal Brings PayPal USD to Users Across 70 Markets Worldwide and Expands Access in Africa

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3 hours ago

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May 21, 2026

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PayPal

Now accessible to millions of PayPal consumers and merchants, PayPal USD helps provide stable purchasing power and enable lower-cost global commerce

SAN JOSÉ, United States of America, May 20, 2026/APO Group/ –PayPal (www.PayPal.com) today announced it is making PayPal USD (PYUSD) available in 70 markets worldwide in the PayPal account. This dollar-backed stablecoin enables users to send funds globally, with faster settlement and lower cost than traditional payment methods.

As global commerce becomes increasingly digital, individuals and businesses are looking for faster and more seamless ways to transact across borders. Stablecoins like PYUSD help power an inclusive, fast, lower-cost, global commerce system.

“Consumers and businesses around the world are looking for faster, more seamless ways to transact globally and the current system still charges too much, takes too long, and settles on timelines that were designed for a different era,” said May Zabaneh, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Crypto, PayPal. “We are working to change that. Enabling PYUSD in users’ accounts across 70 markets gives people faster access to their funds, lower-cost ways to send money across borders, and a more direct path to participating in the global economy, and that is what drives commerce forward for everyone.”

“Bringing PYUSD to Africa is about delivering tangible value to the people and businesses driving growth in these dynamic markets,” said Otto Williams, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Middle East and Africa, PayPal. “Consumers gain a flexible, stable way to move funds faster, while businesses can streamline cross-border payments, improve settlement times, and unlock new opportunities for growth. By increasing access to a regulated, USD-backed digital currency, we’re breaking down barriers and helping reduce friction in global commerce across the region.”

Users in newly supported markets can buy, hold, send, and receive PYUSD directly from their PayPal account.¹ Additionally, eligible users can earn rewards on their PYUSD holdings,² can i transfer funds to friends and family, whether on PayPal or to third-party digital wallets, and convert PYUSD to local currency when withdrawing funds³ for everyday spending.

Businesses that accept PYUSD can use proceeds in minutes rather than days or weeks, improving liquidity and reducing reliance on traditional settlement cycles. Faster access to funds can help businesses manage working capital, support cross-border operations, and participate in global commerce.

Bringing PYUSD to Africa is about delivering tangible value to the people and businesses driving growth in these dynamic markets

Following the launch of PYUSD in the United States in 2023, this expansion is another critical step in creating the liquidity, utility, and ubiquity of PYUSD necessary to create a more inclusive, global commerce ecosystem. By making it available in more places through PayPal, PYUSD helps consumers send funds internationally at a lower cost, while enabling businesses to settle faster, reduce foreign payment fees, and access proceeds more quickly.

PYUSD is now broadly available across multiple global regions, including Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, The Middle East, and North America.

For more information about PYUSD, please visit https://apo-opa.co/49g0TOy

 

1. User experience may vary based on local regulations and PayPal experience.

2. Rewards are not available to Singapore or United Kingdom-based users. Rewards rate will be determined at all times in PayPal’s sole discretion, is not guaranteed, and is subject to change. Terms Apply (https://apo-opa.co/3RctVZh).

3. Terms and conditions apply (https://apo-opa.co/3RctVZh)

 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of PayPal USD (PYUSD).

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