Tag: Africa

  • Battery storage key to solar project bankability in Africa

    Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are essential for solar project bankability in Africa, focusing on delivering flexible, dispatchable power for long-term value creation in the energy transition. Key factors for successful projects include credible counterparties, clear dispatch frameworks, and robust engineering structures. Strategies for scaling commercial and industrial (C&I) energy storage projects in Africa involve long-term financing, standardized contracts, and risk mitigation techniques to attract private capital. Challenges include financing constraints, currency risks, and the need for innovative financing models like power support agreements. The African storage market is growing, with over 31.8 GWh of projects under development, emphasizing the importance of credible partners, bank guarantees, and effective project management to address collection risks.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/05/28/battery-storage-key-to-solar-project-bankability-in-africa/

  • Africa’s Electric Motorcycle Manufacturers Get Ready for the Next Phase as Adoption of Electric Motorcycles Accelerates

    The African electric motorcycle sector is experiencing significant growth, with over 100 companies entering the market and tens of thousands of electric motorcycles being sold annually. Spiro, the continent's largest player, has deployed over 100,000 electric motorcycles and acquired Coexlion to enhance its product development and engineering capabilities. Roam has introduced the Roam Air Gen 3, featuring GPS location tracking, fast charging, and exceptional durability, catering to commercial motorcycle riders in Africa. These advancements are driven by the large addressable market, high operational costs of fossil fuel motorcycles, and low profits for riders in the motorcycle taxi sector, indicating a shift towards electric motorcycles as the preferred choice for millions of users in Africa.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/05/27/africas-electric-motorcycle-manufacturers-get-ready-for-the-next-phase-as-adoption-of-electric-motorcycles-accelerates/

  • French and African leaders announce $11 billion in renewable energy for Africa

    French and African leaders have announced over $11 billion in renewable energy investments in Africa, including projects such as sustainable aviation fuel, hydropower, solar energy, wind generation, and clean cooking initiatives. Companies like TotalEnergies, EDF, Kenya Airways, and Rubis Energy are participating in these initiatives, reflecting global competition for influence in Africa's emerging green economy. African governments are seeking renewable energy financing to expand electricity access while steering clear of high-carbon development pathways. These commitments highlight the importance of sustainable energy solutions in addressing climate change and promoting economic growth in Africa.

    https://apnews.com/article/france-africa-renewable-energy-cdc794ac12d3c1cca1c9ebe50ff6b9f5

  • How to Finance a Just Transition in Africa

    The article highlights the importance of transition finance models in addressing mitigation, social, economic, and adaptation priorities in Africa. It introduces the concept of just transition finance tailored to support inclusive and development-centered transitions in the region. Drawing on experiences from Africa and the Global South, the publication explores successful approaches, challenges, and necessary changes to align financial flows with Africa's fiscal constraints, development goals, and resilience needs. The report aims to establish an Africa-centered Just Transition Financing Framework that reflects the continent's unique challenges and priorities.

    https://southsouthnorth.org/financing-africa-just-transition/

  • Türkiye’s COP31 presidency and IEA join forces on clean energy push

    Türkiye's COP31 presidency, in partnership with the International Energy Agency, is working to accelerate the global clean energy transition in response to the energy crisis triggered by the Iran war. The focus is on areas such as energy supply, electrification, and green industrialization, with an emphasis on expanding clean cooking solutions in developing countries and promoting waste recycling to reduce emissions. The IEA is organizing a summit in July to improve clean cooking access for Africans. Meanwhile, COP31 aims to address the lack of funding for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries and supporting clean energy development outside of China, Europe, and the US. The presidency is prioritizing cutting emissions from garbage and developing a new mechanism to match climate projects with financing to ease access to funding for climate solutions.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/04/30/turkiyes-cop31-presidency-and-iea-join-forces-on-clean-energy-push/

  • Swapping Out Diesel For Solar & Batteries In The Amazon Rainforest

    Affordability is driving the increase in new renewable energy installations at both grid and individual levels, with solar and wind, along with battery storage, becoming more popular due to decreasing costs. In areas like Africa, Pakistan, and the Amazon rainforest, the transition to solar energy is robust, supported by federal policy, falling technology costs, and philanthropic initiatives. Brazil has successfully increased its wind and solar power capacity to meet and exceed electricity demand growth, reducing the need for fossil fuel generation and lowering power sector emissions. The growth of renewables in Brazil has been significant, with the decline in hydro generation leading to a shift towards wind and solar power, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and presenting opportunities to avoid costly imports. Renewable energy sources like solar and wind can provide a more sustainable and cost-effective solution, especially in rural areas where diesel generators are currently used.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/04/27/swapping-out-diesel-for-solar-batteries-in-the-amazon-rainforest/

  • France Moved First, But Markets Everywhere Are Signaling Electrification

    France has announced a significant increase in state support for electrification, aiming to replace imported molecules with domestic electrons. The package includes a ban on gas heating systems in new buildings, a phaseout of gas heating in social housing units, and subsidies for electric vehicles and trucks. Other European countries are also showing movement towards electrification, with a notable increase in battery electric vehicle registrations in Germany and the UK. The European market is showing increased interest in electric vehicles (EVs) and other clean energy solutions, with rising inquiries and orders for EVs, heat pumps, and solar panels. The section discusses how different regions like Australia, South Asia, Africa, and Latin America are responding to fuel insecurity and the transition towards electrification. Countries with low-carbon power mixes may struggle to convert this into electrification advantages due to grid and market framework issues. The importance of building infrastructure fast enough to meet rising electric demand and avoiding overreading weak signals in the energy transition is emphasized, with electrification seen as a practical language of resilience in the face of repeated fossil fuel shocks.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2026/04/13/france-moved-first-but-markets-everywhere-are-signaling-electrification/

  • Nigerians bet on solar power as global oil crisis hits wallets

    Africa, particularly Nigeria, is experiencing a surge in solar power installations as a response to soaring fuel prices and unreliable power supplies. The conflict in the Middle East has further accelerated the adoption of solar energy, with installations in Africa increasing by 54% in 2025. Businesses and consumers are recognizing the cost-saving benefits of transitioning to solar power, with calls for governments to adopt binding targets to phase out fossil fuels and invest in clean energy for a stable future. Lower-cost solar products are now available, making solar power a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources in Nigeria and across the continent.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/04/01/nigerians-bet-on-solar-as-global-oil-shock-hits-wallets-and-power-supplies/

  • Inspiring Victory Against Big Ag and the GMO Giants

    Soil carbon loss is a significant contributor to CO2 emissions, with over 100 Gt released annually. Implementing regenerative agriculture practices can help reverse climate change by capturing CO2 in the soil and enhancing soil organic matter. This can be achieved by stopping ecosystem destruction, restoring forests and pastures, and discontinuing synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. The Mexican Senate recently approved a constitutional reform to ban GMOs, prioritizing the protection of biodiversity and food sovereignty. Traditional grains like finger millet and sorghum are proving to be more resilient and sustainable in the face of climate variability. The FAO emphasizes the importance of diversifying staple crops in Southern Africa, particularly transitioning from maize to traditional grains like finger millet and sorghum. The impact of the 2024 El Niño on Zimbabwe and Southern Africa led to severe food insecurity, livestock deaths, and the worst hunger crisis in 4 decades. Mexico has banned the planting of genetically modified corn seeds to protect its native corn varieties. The section discusses the importance of regenerative agriculture and organic farming in addressing climate change, highlighting the efforts of organizations like IFOAM Organics International and Regeneration International in promoting sustainable farming practices. The article also mentions the need for African governments to implement agroecology policies to support smallholder food producers and address environmental issues. Overall, the focus is on empowering farmers and communities to take control of their local food systems for a more sustainable future. Stakeholders in Africa are urging states to prioritize agroecology to support farmers and sustainable food production. Glaciers are losing ice mass rapidly, with regional losses ranging from 2% to 39%. The climate crisis is already impacting smallholder farmers, leading to food insecurity and hunger. Industrial agriculture, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, is unsustainable. Indigenous reserves in the Peruvian Amazon are facing setbacks, putting uncontacted tribes at risk. Supporting monarch populations by planting nectar-rich flowers and milkweed is crucial for their survival. Regeneration International is calling for support to build an international alliance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon in soils, regenerate ecosystems, eliminate rural poverty, and revitalize communities. They emphasize the importance of regenerative agriculture in restoring farmer independence, promoting social justice, fair trade, and ecological health. The organization aims to build a global network to promote regenerative agriculture practices that provide abundant food, revitalize economies, restore soil fertility, nurture biodiversity, and reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions while sequestering carbon in the soil.

    https://us.engagingnetworks.app/page/email/message/view?templateId=372973

  • Investors pour capital into Africa’s fast-growing e-mobility market

    Electric vehicle transport financing is on the rise in Africa, with Spiro securing $50 million to expand its battery-swapping network, along with other e-mobility firms like Arc Ride and Gogo Electric receiving funding for clean transport solutions. Spiro intends to use the capital to extend its battery-swapping stations and advance technology for a greener future in Africa. Development financiers view electric mobility as both a climate solution and an industrialization opportunity on the continent, highlighting the potential for sustainable growth and reduced emissions in the region.

    https://apnews.com/article/spiro-electric-bikes-battery-swapping-emobility-africa-e91ff820907dd8329d15a9f2ed1e2b20