Solar emerges as an alternative to Nigeria’s unreliable grid {Business Africa}

Nigeria's power crisis is fueling a surge in demand for decentralized solar solutions. Countless businesses continue to rely on expensive diesel and petrol generators as the national grid's unreliability disrupts operations and inflates expenses. PowerGen is optimistic that solar and mini-grids can deliver more dependable electricity on a larger scale.

Connor Shine, Director at Delphos, shared with Business Africa his thoughts on whether commercial solar can now match the performance of diesel generators, the strategies employed to mitigate currency risk in the PowerGen deal, and if this model could be replicated across other African markets. One of the primary challenges in clean-energy investment across Africa is currency volatility.

Shine explained how Delphos managed its financing to counteract these risks, raising the question of whether similar financial strategies could stimulate decentralized energy investment in other African markets. Nations like Kenya, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are also aiming to broaden access to reliable electricity, presenting potential opportunities for distributed energy solutions.

Following 65 years of diplomatic ties, Togo and Russia are strengthening their economic relationship. Their inaugural joint intergovernmental commission took place at the Palais des Congrès in Lomé. While trade remains modest, both parties are exploring avenues to augment investment and economic ties. The pivotal question is whether heightened political relations will result in substantial commercial prospects for Togo and West Africa.

Africa's digital transformation is gaining momentum. According to the GSMA, 83 percent of connected Africans go online daily. Additionally, the mobile coverage gap has decreased from 50 percent in 2016 to less than 15 percent, propelled by persistent investment in telecommunications. As connectivity expands, the upcoming challenge lies in transforming heightened digital access into broader economic opportunities.