Fatshimetrie: An in-depth look at Africa’s hydropower potential and its socio-economic challenges
Africa, a cradle of diverse natural resources, has a hydropower potential that is still largely untapped, raising both hope and perplexity about its full use to meet the continent’s energy needs. Despite this wealth being exploited, many challenges remain, such as access to electricity for millions of Africans, the modernization of energy infrastructure and the need to promote sustainable development in a context of global energy transition.
The recent IHA report highlights the duality of the energy situation in Africa: on the one hand, a colossal hydropower potential of 42 GW, on the other, more than 570 million people still living without electricity. This disparity questions the energy policies implemented by African governments and underlines the urgency of investing in the energy sector to guarantee universal access to electricity.
Among the African countries leading the race to exploit their hydropower potential, Ethiopia stands out with its production capacity of 4,825 MW, followed by Angola and South Africa. These countries have made significant progress in setting up major hydropower projects, such as the Laúca power plant in Angola and the Nachtigal project in Cameroon, demonstrating their willingness to invest in clean and renewable energy.
However, major challenges remain, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the Grand Inga project, despite its immense potential of $100 billion, is struggling to materialize. This project, if it sees the light of day, could revolutionize the African energy sector by providing enough electricity to power the entire continent.
It is therefore imperative that African governments and energy sector stakeholders join forces to address the challenges of exploiting the continent’s hydropower potential. The transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy is necessary to ensure equitable economic and social development for all Africans.
In conclusion, Africa has considerable hydropower potential that could transform the face of the continent in terms of energy. However, to fully exploit this potential, it is crucial to invest in suitable infrastructure, innovative energy policies and strengthened international cooperation. Hydropower could thus become the engine of sustainable development in Africa, contributing to the fight against poverty, energy insecurity and climate change.