How Solar Energy Is Fueling a Socio-Economic Revolution in Africa

This is a story about how solar energy is bringing some long overdue changes to the sun-drenched continent.

Instead of waiting for their governments to build proper electricity infrastructures, under-served populations of sub Saharan Africa are increasingly relying on off-grid solar energy to improve their lives and well-beings.

In 2013, electricity from a utility cost between 10 to 15 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) across the U.S. and U.K., whereas villagers in many rural parts of Africa paid as much as $8 per kWh for kerosene lighting. Many of these families live in deep poverty, yet 30 percent or more of their income is spent on kerosene.

The World Bank estimates that breathing kerosene fumes is the equivalent of smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, and two thirds of adult females with lung cancer in developing nations are nonsmokers.
Not only is solar energy cheaper and healthier, it also creates an environment in which many African countries are poised to see some major improvements.

With the help of startups like Angaza and Azuri Technologies, several east African countries have recently gained a lot of attention from venture capitalists, seeking to get market shares and thus positioning themselves to profit from the exploding demand of off-grid solar energy kits.

Politicians are also taking notice. The African Union recently announced a $20 billion investment in renewable energy over the next decade.

Off-grid pay-as-you-go schemes appear to be the most viable solution thus far. It allows customers to pay as low as $6 for installation fee to power basic lights and devices such as radios, television sets, and entertainment systems. Following the installation, a fixed and competitive rate is charged on weekly or monthly basis. M-Kopa in Kenya now provides basic electricity in over 275,000 households and plans to reach one million homes by 2017.

While these schemes are very popular in East Africa, the idea is still in its infancy on the Western side of the continent. Nigeria is currently exploring solar energy as a more realistic option to fix some of its power issues since building new national grids could cost billions of dollars. upOwa is another one of these start-ups using a very similar scheme to empower local off-the-grid West and Central African communities.

This is not just about being able to stream the latest Game of Thrones episode online. Having access to electricity increases productivity, and connects these remote communities to the global economy.

We have always wondered why a resourceful continent like Africa has so many people living in poverty. Some might blame it on race, religion — or whatever — I, however, suspect under-education and misinformation to be two major causes — among many others.

Having basic electricity helps these communities power their electronics, increasing connectivity and the flow of information. It also creates better living standards, as many families can now enjoy a broader range of activities after sunset. It is also important to point out that electricity woes are not limited to only rural areas.

During a recent trip to Douala, the richest city in the whole CEMAC region, at least twenty-five percent of our time was spent without electricity. Douala without electricity is a disaster. Most businesses and schools cannot operate efficiently, students cannot study, and the majority of the population is left to sleep without their electric fans.

We are talking about a city where temperature usually fluctuates between 80 and 110 degree Fahrenheit. Sleeping without a fan means a night long battle against heat, humidity, and mosquitoes.

The Cameroonian government said the country is currently losing 40% of electric power generation as a result of dilapidated equipment. To tackle this issue, it has recently announced plans to build a second dam to increase its hydro energy output. A move that has been criticized by many due to the fact that the fundamental research backing this project is outdated. The current drought crisis has not been properly assessed, and could further cripple the country hydro–heavy energy sector.

It is going to be a long time before many African nations get their acts together, but in the meantime, individuals and entrepreneurs are using off-grid solar energy systems to make steady improvements on lives in the region. Reliable and affordable electricity is fundamental to the long-awaited African Revolution. It has the power to create jobs for the youth-dominated population, and increase the educational attainment level. This revolution will pull Africa from the dark and unlock even greater potential.

PS. This is my first post, and I hope it makes sense. Please feel free to share any comment or suggestion you may have.