In the rural village of Gwanda, Zimbabwe, a mother walks several kilometres each day to find firewood so she can cook for her children. She’s never had access to reliable electricity, and her story is not unique. Across Africa, 600 million people still live without energy access – a fact that affects every aspect of their lives.
The former United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, summarised Africa’s biggest challenge when he said: “Energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, increased social equity, and an environment that allows the world to thrive”. Without electricity, communities cannot run clinics, power schools, or create jobs – all of which are fundamental to dignity and development.
That is why I attended the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town recently, a milestone that marked…