ESI Africa

ESI Africa ESI Africa, the online power journal of Africa, provides news updates and information to a dynamic and ever changing industry.

Established in 1996, ESI Africa - Africa’s Power Journal is the trusted knowledge source of African utilities and their partners across the continent. We deliver content rich in insight and analysis relating to the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.

Zambia has marked a major milestone for its mining sector and economic recovery.President Hakainde Hichilema has officia...
20/08/2025

Zambia has marked a major milestone for its mining sector and economic recovery.

President Hakainde Hichilema has officially commissioned the S3 Expansion Project at Kansanshi Mining PLC, a subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals.

The $1.25 billion investment, the largest in recent years, will extend the Kansanshi mine’s lifespan into the 2040s, increase production capacity, and create new employment opportunities. The mine is located 10km north of Solwezi in North Western Province.

The mining sector in Zambia remains the backbone of its economy, contributing to job creation and economic growth

The global fashion industry is under the spotlight for its environmental and social impact.A new SEforALL report, Thread...
20/08/2025

The global fashion industry is under the spotlight for its environmental and social impact.

A new SEforALL report, Threads of Transformation, reveals how energy-intensive production, excessive water use, and entrenched gender inequalities are shaping the sector’s future.

The report stresses the urgent need to align fashion with SDG7 (Affordable & Clean Energy) and SDG5 (Gender Equality) to build a more sustainable and equitable industry.

Energy costs account for 15% to 30% of production expenses in fast fashion, with most operations relying on fossil fuel-based sources

Kenya Power, working with investigators, has uncovered a vast illegal electricity network in Meru County.⚡ The undergrou...
20/08/2025

Kenya Power, working with investigators, has uncovered a vast illegal electricity network in Meru County.
⚡ The underground grid was secretly powering dozens of boreholes on local miraa farms.

👉 Miraa, also known as khat, is a stimulant crop central to livelihoods in Meru and exported across the Horn of Africa.

Authorities warn that illegal connections not only drain resources but also endanger communities with electrocution risks and transformer failures.

Illegal electricity connections are a persistent challenge across Kenya, where they account for about 6% of commercial energy losses annually

Leaders across Africa have pledged to ramp up investment in water and sanitation at the inaugural Africa Water Investmen...
20/08/2025

Leaders across Africa have pledged to ramp up investment in water and sanitation at the inaugural Africa Water Investment Summit in Cape Town. 🌍💧
Held from 13–15 August, the summit brought together heads of state, 38 water ministers, and international partners to address critical water challenges.
A draft Africa Water Vision and Policy was unveiled, calling for urgent action to achieve the SDGs and build climate resilience.

At the Summit a draft policy declaration calling for urgent investment in water and sanitation in Africa to achieve SDGs was also presented

A major milestone for Libya’s energy future. 🌍☀️The country has inaugurated its first solar power plant in Kufra, deep i...
20/08/2025

A major milestone for Libya’s energy future. 🌍☀️
The country has inaugurated its first solar power plant in Kufra, deep in the Sahara Desert. Completed in just eight months, the 1MW facility can generate clean power for 500–1,000 households.
Libya is aiming to scale renewables as it seeks to meet rising electricity demand.

Libya is aiming to meet its rising energy demands with renewable resources, of which solar has been identified as having "immense potential"

Nigeria is taking bold steps to fix its ageing energy infrastructure. 🇳🇬The Federal Executive Council has approved billi...
20/08/2025

Nigeria is taking bold steps to fix its ageing energy infrastructure. 🇳🇬
The Federal Executive Council has approved billions in funding to stabilise electricity supply, boost industries and close the energy access gap affecting millions.

The energy sector in Nigeria continues to grapple with low generation capacity, high technical and commercial losses

Closing Africa’s water investment gap requires more than funding – it demands regulatory reforms, better data, and the u...
18/08/2025

Closing Africa’s water investment gap requires more than funding – it demands regulatory reforms, better data, and the use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

At last week’s AU-AIP Water Summit 2025 in Cape Town, panelists explored how AI and digital tools can help municipalities tackle service delivery failures, strengthen investment cases, and improve efficiency across the water sector.

The panelists' overall message emphasised AI's role in improving efficiency, equity, and accountability in the water sector in Africa

Coal will continue to play a key role in South Africa and other coal-producing countries for the next 15–20 years, despi...
18/08/2025

Coal will continue to play a key role in South Africa and other coal-producing countries for the next 15–20 years, despite global pressure to speed up the energy transition. Mike Teke, newly appointed FutureCoal chairman and Seriti CEO, warned against the “coal closet” mentality, where stakeholders downplay their involvement.

“I am invested in coal. I understand it’s a fossil fuel and a climate challenge, but shutting mines and coal-fired power stations now is unrealistic,” Teke told ESI Africa.

Newly appointed FutureCoal chairman and Seriti Resources CEO Mike Teke pushed back against what he called the "coal closet" mentality

Energy poverty, drought, and climate change are reshaping Zambia’s energy sector. Dr Johnstone Chikwanda shares real sol...
18/08/2025

Energy poverty, drought, and climate change are reshaping Zambia’s energy sector. Dr Johnstone Chikwanda shares real solutions from the C&I Energy+Storage Summit Zambia—spotlighting battery storage, policy change, and traditional leadership in energy transition.

With more than 20 years in Zambia’s energy sector, Dr Chikwanda highlights how we move closer to SDG7 and create access for all.

Watch the video and hear how BESS and policy reform can shift the continent's future.
🎥

Dr Johnstone Chikwanda , C&I Energy+Storage Summit Zambia Advisory Board member talks energy access, affordability, diversity and security

As power and energy expert Prof Vally Padayachee puts it: “Engagement with consumers is critical.”Electricity utilities ...
18/08/2025

As power and energy expert Prof Vally Padayachee puts it: “Engagement with consumers is critical.”

Electricity utilities can no longer set tariffs in a vacuum. South Africa needs smarter, more collaborative tariff structures that reflect actual costs while staying sensitive to public realities.

In this podcast, Padayachee explores how engagement, transparency, and innovation in tariff design can help utilities and communities work together for sustainable energy.

Listen now: https://www.esi-africa.com/podcasts/balancing-cost-reflective-tariffs-and-affordable-electricity/

Eskom Hld SOC Ltd South African Local Government Association (SALGA) NERSA ZA

As energy and power expert Professor Vally Padayachee points out the discussion around cost-reflective tariffs must touch on affordability

Electrical Engineer and Africa GreenCo’s Research Lead, Mbiko Banda, joins the C&I Energy+Storage Summit Zambia Advisory...
15/08/2025

Electrical Engineer and Africa GreenCo’s Research Lead, Mbiko Banda, joins the C&I Energy+Storage Summit Zambia Advisory Board. She unpacks energy resilience, bankability and systems planning in conversation with Summit Programme Manager Babalwa Bungane.

For Mbiko, the Summit is more than dialogue—it's a chance to drive real impact, aligning her PhD focus with market transformation.

Join us in Lusaka on 27-28 August 2025 as we connect C&I project owners with cutting-edge energy and storage innovators.



C&I Solar+Storage Summit Zambia Advisory Board Member Mbiko Banda speaks on issues of bankability and power systems planning in Zambia

“Blended finance is being wrongly treated as a cure-all for Africa’s water investment gap,” said Hubert Danso, CEO of Af...
15/08/2025

“Blended finance is being wrongly treated as a cure-all for Africa’s water investment gap,” said Hubert Danso, CEO of Africa Investor Group, at the AU–Africa Water Investment Programme Summit 2025 in Cape Town.

Held under the banner of South Africa’s G20 presidency, the summit saw Danso challenge the development community to face facts: “If you bring all of the blended finance first-loss capacity together for Africa and all emerging markets, it still covers less than 10% of what’s actually needed.”

His call to action? Stop romanticising outdated models and start finding ways to close the 90% investment shortfall for water infrastructure.



AUDA NEPAD African Union Department of Water and Sanitation South Africa


This investment mechanism does not have the depth nor the capacity to accomplish any of the water goals in the continent, an investment expert says

Address

2nd Floor, North Wing, Great Westerford, 240 Main Road, Rondebosch
Cape Town
7700

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+27217003500

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when ESI Africa posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to ESI Africa:

Shortcuts

Share

Category