Business Times Africa Magazine 2017 /vol 9/ No2 BT2Edition2017_web | Page 6

EDITORIAL TEAM EDITORIAL Editor Alfonce Mbizwo [email protected] West African Editor William Selassy Adjadogo Alfonce Mbizwo AFRICA’S ENERGY PROBLEMS ARE SURMOUNTABLE Business Development Manager Nicholas Ofoe Quarmyne T: 0302 775449 /0244523627 [email protected] Marketing Executive Gabriel Adu Asare Advertising [email protected] Sales and Circulation Ebenezer Sasu [email protected] Graphic Design E. T. Mensah [email protected] T: 020 002 8385 Advertising (Regional Contacts) In 2014, a special report on Africa Energy Outlook showed that two thirds of sub-Saharan Africa’s population, some over 620 million people, do not have access to electricity. As of 2016, an estimated 1.2 billion people – 16 percent of the global population – did not have access to electricity. Over 95 percent of those living without electricity are in countries in sub-Saharan Africa and developing Asia. In this edition, we have several reports on how Africa can move forward. Columnists Carlos Lopes and Aliko Dangote point out that authorities can make it easier, safer, and more financially attractive for private investors to enter power markets to boost competition, thereby spurring innovation and lowering costs. African countries could seek opportunities to share infrastructure and create cross-border power pools, they argue. Renewable energy offers Africa another way to self-reliance, with ‘exceptionally rich portfolio of clean-energy assets, including almost nine terawatts of solar capacity, more than 350 gigawatts of hydropower capacity, and more than 100 GW of wind-power potential.’ This is more than enough to meet the continent’s future demand. Strive Masiyiwa and Richard Branson and Richard Branson make another point; mini-grids -localized electricity networks that supply several users, whether households or businesses. Mini-grids can have a major competitive advantage over grid extension in rural and remote areas, because they can provide electricity more quickly and at much lower cost, they noted. Because mini-grids require less capital investment than grid expansion, it can be easier to secure financing for them, meaning that they can electrify communities that might have to wait years for a grid connection. AFRICA Ghana Ebenezer Sasu Tel No: [phone]/785561/785367, [phone], [phone], Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] Nigeria Mr Taiwo Adedoyin, Country Director Press House, 3rd Floor, 27 Acme Road, Ogba industrial Estate lkeja, Lagos, Nigeria. T [phone] South Africa Kingsley Ibokette Postnet Suite 621, Private Bag X29 Gallo Manor 2052 T [phone] • C+27 78226 9073 [email protected] Kenya CPA Milcah Odeny P.O.Box 4950, Kisumu - 40103, Kenya T [phone] [email protected] Zimbabwe / Botswana Annah Mudyiwa [phone] [email protected] Major Tikiwa Multi media Zimbabwe, 7 Cambridge Avenue, Newlands, Harare T [phone] / [phone] • F [phone] EUROPE/INTERNATIONAL Kwesi Asong 34 Waterman Court, 118 Axe Street, Barking Essex, NG 11 7FG T [phone] • F [phone] [email protected] Business Times Magazine is published by Business Times Magazine Group Ltd. Editorial opinions expressed in Business Times Magazine are not necessarily those of the Publisher. The Publisher does not accept responsibility for advertising content. Business Times (Ltd) 2012 all rights reserved. Business Times Magazine is available at newsagents and through subscription. Business Times Magazine is also supplied via controlled circulation to first and business class passengers on selected African airlines and guests in top hotels in the continent.