12 large-scale hydropower projects set to change the face of Africa

The African landscape is quickly changing as integration where former geographical features shared by countries are turned into avenues for mutual benefit.

One such venture is hydro power generation where Africa has a paradox between plentiful untapped hydropower and other renewable energy resources versus very little electricity access.

Only forty-five per cent of the electricity generation in Sub-Saharan Africa comes from hydropower but only five per cent of the continent hydro-potential has been tapped which makes generation of these resources a major boost to spur development.

Recent studies estimate that 57 per cent of Africans are without electricity which is attributed to poor infrastructure.

In 2012, at the 18th Summit of the African Union, African Heads of State endorsed a set of priority energy projects to be implemented by 2020 as part of the Programme for Infrastructure Development for Africa (PIDA)

1. The Mphanda-Nkuwa project in Mozambique, which is at the financial closure stage. It will contribute to supply energy both to Mozambique and to South Africa.
2. The Inga hydropower projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Grand Inga will have to be built in several phases. When fully built, it will transform Africa by providing electricity to a large part of the continent with transmission lines interconnecting several countries.
3. Hydropower components of the Lesotho Highlands water project Phase II, which will supply power to Lesotho and South Africa.
4. The Ruzizi III project in Rwanda will provide additional electricity capacity in Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC. It is the first regional Public Private Partnership (PPP) power project in Africa and is a model for successful implementation.
5. The Rusumo Falls development. The electricity produced will supply Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.
6. Batoka Gorge: 1.600 megawatts of hydropower  for Zambia and Zimbabwe
7. Fomi Dam: A 102 megawatts hydropower station will be constructed in guinea to benefit nine Niger River Basin countries.
8. Great Millennium Renaissance Dam: The aim is to develop a 5,250 megawatt hydropower plant in the Nile Basin to supply electricity to both the local export markets.
9. Kaleta Dam: A 279 megawatt capacity gravity dam which will produce electricity for Gambia River Basin Development Organization member countries.
10. Noumbiel Dam: A hydropower and agricultural purpose dam for Bukina Faso and Ghana 
11. Palambo Dam: Small 30 megawatt hydropower dam that will regulate water flow on Obangui River to benefit Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa Republic.
12. Sambagalou: 120 megawatt hydropower on Gambia River to offer affordable renewable energy to countries involved.

Business: AfDB boasts East African Development Bank (EADB) with equity funds

The East African Development Bank (EADB) headquaters in Kampala, Uganda. PHOTO: Courtesy

The East African Development Bank (EADB) has benefited from a US$24million direct equity investment from African Development Bank (AfDB).

The amount which was approved by the AfDB Board of Directors will go a long way to strengthen its balance sheet and contribute to improve its international credit rating with US $10 million to be placed directly with the balance in the form of callable capital.

According to an online press release by AfDB the investment will help mobilize significant financial resources in the East African Community (EAC) to stimulate economic development and employment opportunities in the region.

EADB is set to benefit in its support in capital market development, government revenue generation and foreign exchange.

“This project will help EADB consolidate the gains of its successful restructuring program, assist the current business strategy of the bank by strengthening its capital base and will be crucial to mobilize financial resources from capital markets at more affordable terms and meeting the growing demand for investment in the EAC,” the statement said.

The funding is expected to contribute in driving the bank’s credit rating by improving the quality of the callable capital of the bank.

“A technical assistance package, financed by the Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA), will reinforce institutional capacity at EADB to complement the proposed equity investment,” AfDB said.

The partnering of the two banks will help to exploit synergies stemming from complementary sources of comparative advantage with EADB’s field presence and local knowledge of the EAC market will provide a logical conduit for AfDB to reach out to end-customers, including SMEs, by efficiently leveraging its scale.

The project is aligned with AfDB’s East African Integration Strategy, with its focus on sub-regional development finance institutions, as well as with the key pillars of AfDB’s forthcoming Long-Term Strategy, particularly private sector development and regional integration.

EADBwhich was established in 1967 under the terms of the Treaty for East African Cooperation is a sub-regional multilateral lender based in Kampala, Uganda offering interventions mainly in form of loans, leases and equity participations to Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania.

Manuel Odeny, Copyright: 2013

Regulate dont ban vernacular radio

Jecktone Odeny listens to a transistor radio in rural Mara Province, Tanzania. He said he prefers Ramogi FM, a luo vernacular station in Kenya to get timely news

I concur with former Mozambican president Joachim Chissano's view that vernacular can unite the country. These stations can foster development in the that niche market populated by the uneducated.

Years ago, my elderly relatives used to tune it to vernacular broadcasting in Kisumu only from Kenya Broadcasting Corparation (KBC). But with the explosion of FM stations, they are now spoilt of choice.

Following the news has now become a ritual a a hitherto untapped market is opened up to the world. Even though some of the stations stand accused of fanning post-election violence, i would rather they were not banned.

Rather, they should be regulated to foster unity and development

Published on Monday March 22, 2010 by The Standard/Kenya