Africa's Big Switch (ABS)

Using Nigeria as a case study, I had a conversation with Bolaji Onalaja, an energy and technology consultant,  to understand the current situation in Nigeria, challenges and available opportunities for renewable energy in ensuring access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all by 2030. This episode was hosted by Bolaji Akinola-AlliCo-hosted by Demilade Adeyemi and Daniel OgbonnaFollow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

On this episode, I had a conversation with Amit Saraogi and Anshuman Lath to learn how India was able to grow its electricity access from 60% to almost 100% of its population in two decades.What can African leaders learn from this? What roles do the private sector and public sector play in providing clean, affordable and sustainable electricity access for all? Please have a listen.Amit Saraogi is the Co-founder and CEO of Oorja Development Solutions Limited, a mission-driven company working at the intersection between clean energy and sustainable agriculture. It provides affordable irrigation, milling and cooling services to smallholder farmers. Anshuman Lath is the CO-founder of Gram Oorja Solutions Private Limited. Gram Oorja fulfils the electricity, cooking fuel and water needs of remote, tribal communities. With over 70 mini-grid projects in India, Gram Oorja has contributed to promoting energy access in the southern parts of India. This episode was hosted by Bolaji Akinola-Alli Co-hosted by Daniel OgbonnaFollow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

We spoke to Collins Kuindwa, an investment officer at SunFunder in Nairobi,  to understand how rural electrification is financed in Africa. We explored the methods of financing, their associated risks and ways to overcome them. SunFunder is a mission-driven solar finance business based in Nairobi unlocking debt capital for solar energy in emerging markets, where over 2.2 billion people live without access to reliable energy.SunFunder has helped over 10 million people gain access to clean, reliable energy through its blended debt funds.Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

Did you know?Over 3 billion people live without access to clean cooking facilities in the world today.According to the IEA, sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 490,000 premature deaths per year linked to household air pollution from the lack of access to clean cooking facilities, with women and children being the worst affected. The unsustainable harvesting of fuelwood also contributes to deforestation.Africa's Big Switch podcast has so far focused on rural electrification for its first season. However we believe that it is also important to spread awareness on the clean cooking challenges and opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa. On this episode, we spoke to Ronan Ferguson from the Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) who gave us an overview of the major challenges to achieving clean cooking and its impact on economic and social development in Africa. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

The Oil and Gas industry has been a notorious contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which has contributed to climate change. But does oil & gas have a role to play in the energy transition in Africa? If so, how? To explore this, we sat down with James Makinde, the General Manager of Ardova Plc. With over 15 years experience in oil and gas industry, James now leads business development into sustainable energy solutions in areas of clean mobility and renewables amongst others.Please have a listen!Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

There is often this mysterious cloud surrounding the nuclear industry with a lot of false perceptions on its safety and role in contributing towards a sustainable energy future. On this episode of Africa's Big Switch, we had a conversation with Princess Mthombeni, a nuclear communication specialist with over 10 years experience, to help us demystify some of the myths surrounding the nuclear industry in Africa. Some of the questions we explored include: The safety of nuclear energy. Is it actually safe?What is the key to widespread adoption of nuclear energy in Africa? Does Africa currently posses the the skills to safely run and maintain a nuclear plant? Find out on this episode!Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

Still on Nuclear Energy! But this time we take a deeper dive into the technology.Have you heard of the Pebble Small Modular Reactor (PSMR)? We spoke to Dr Trevor Dudley, the CEO of Mozweli Nuclear Engineering Limited on the role of nuclear energy in diversifying Africa's energy mix. Dr Trevor holds over 26 years of experience in the nuclear engineering and he is particularly involved in the development of nuclear pebble technology. He is also a member of the South African advisory committee that works with the IAEA and advises the government on nuclear affairs.Some of the key questions we covered on this episode include:What role can nuclear energy play in Africa's economic development? Should we be concerned about nuclear waste? What should we be hopeful for in the future of nuclear energy in Africa? We hope you enjoy this! Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

Can I use solar energy to power my business? On this episode of Africa's Big Switch we had a conversation with Victor Tobenna Ezenwoko, the Chief Commercial Officer of Daystar Power, to explore commercial and industrial clean energy solutions in Africa. From steel manufacturers in Ghana to commercial banks in Nigeria, Daystar Power is committed to helping African businesses grow and develop by taking care of their power needs. In doing so, it aims to contribute to the clean and sustainable growth of African countries. Today, Daystar Power is present in four countries, runs over 300 power installations with an installed solar capacity of 32 MW, and has a team of 140 colleagues. [1]The questions we explore on this episode include:Why are businesses making the switch from diesel generators to cleaner energy solutions? What are some of the regulatory and supply chain issues faced with delivering clean power solutions in Africa? Can solar power my air conditioner?Have a listen![1] https://www.daystar-power.com/about-usFollow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

As the name suggests, your hosts Hassana, Joshua and Bolaji, reflected on the 8 episodes released so far. We highlighted where progress has been made and hinted on the direction of the podcast going forward. The nature of the conversation was more of a chat than a formal interview.Finally, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

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We had a conversation with Rahul Srinivasan, a Senior Energy Specialist at Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll), to explore the nexus between energy and healthcare in Africa.   SEforAll is a United Nations partner organization that strives to accelerate access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy in developing countries, particularly in Africa and Asia. The key themes we explore on this episode include:The interdependencies between energy and healthcare in sub-saharan Africa.Around 15% of health facilities in sub-saharan Africa have no access to power. Why is this the case? The 5-pillar approach to tackling this problem. How you can be part of the solution.Have a listen!Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

We had a conversation with Maryam Abdulkadir, an environmentalist who works with rural communities in Nigerian to reintroduce cultural medicinal practices. She is the founder of Plant Revival Enterprise, a social enterprise that replants native medicinal fruit trees and crops which have become endangered in specific communities in Nigeria. Plant Revival is known for creating the first botanical garden in northeastern Nigeria, on a hectare of land donated by Modibbo Adama University in Yola, Adamawa state.The key themes we explore on this episode include:Environmentalism - why should you care?The dangers of deforestation on culture and identity.What are the challenges of running a social enterprise in a conflict-prone region in sub-saharan Africa.How do you differentiate between what people want and what they need.Have a listen!Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

We had a conversation with Nicholas Rawhani, the CEO of Vula, a company whose mission is to help African entrepreneurs secure funding for their business. Born and raised in South Africa, Nic tells us about his experience transitioning from the corporate world with McKinsey, where he worked to support green scale-ups in Africa, to leading a venture backed start up. The key themes we explore on this episode include:The challenges faced by African entrepreneurs in raising funding?Some tips that entrepreneurs can use to secure funding for their business.Nic's experience with Entrepreneur First and finding a co-founder.Vula's integrated software solution using Artificial Intelligence (AI).Have a listen!Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

We sat down with Emmanuel Ezenwere  the CEO of Arone, a company whose mission is to pioneer technologies that democratize access to basic amenities required to live a better life. Emmanuel is an entrepreneur with 8 years of experience building technologies that focus on the development of  unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)  and clean energy technologies. Arone looks to solve issues around access to electricity and healthcare within Nigeria, with a potential to scale to other developing economies.Emmanuel’s work has been recognized and published nationally & internationally by the likes of Total Energies, Oxford Business Group (UK) & BusinessDay.The key themes we explore on this episode include:The challenges of building a battery assembly plant in Nigeria.  Emmanuel's unfortunate encounter with a fraudsterArone's innovative battery solution The opportunities for solar cell manufacturing in AfricaHave a listen!*As at the time this episode was recorded, Arone was looking to raise startup funding. Please reach out to Emmanuel for further enquiries on this.Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

We had a great conversation with Nana Skari Maidugu, who is the Head of Sustainability and ESG at the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). At NSIA, Nana is responsible for developing and driving sustainability strategy & climate initiatives, as well as the implementation of its ESG framework across the Authority, its investments and partnerships.With extensive experience in infrastructure investment, Nana shares her perspective on sustainable and impact investment in NigeriaThe key themes we explore on this episode include:The challenges of financing infrastructure such as inflation.Where does the money come from?How is NSIA leveraging climate finance for its projects?Why you should get into the ESG space in Africa. Have a listen!*please find attached a copy of the NSIA Development Impact Report 2021Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

We had a great conversation with Pam Haigh, who is the UK General Manager at Ripple Africa.Ripple Africa is a UK registered charity working to improve local environment, education and healthcare in Malawi, Africa. Operating at the grassroots level, involving the community in all aspects of its activity, Ripple Africa has over 690 staff and 12,000 people in Malawi working on projects on a part time, or voluntary basis. These projects include fish conservation, fuel-efficient cookstoves, tree-planting and forest conservation, running and assisting eight pre-schools, supporting a community library, a disabilities and rehabilitation project and sexual health project, and more.With over ten years of experience working at Ripple Africa, Pam shares her experience on what it takes to successfully manage a charity in Malawi.The key themes we explore on this episode include:The environmental challenges facing rural communities in Malawi.How to roll out solutions and gain the buy-in from local communities and organisations.Are charities a sustainable form of assistance to local communities?How is Ripple Africa improving the lives of Malawians? Have a listen!Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

An exciting conversation with Bradley K. Poku-Amankwah , the acting Principal Coordinator at the Ghana Energy Transition Office. The Ghana Energy Transition Office is a collaboration between the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All and the Government of Ghana based at the office of the President in Accra. Prior to this, Bradley served as the Senior Technical Assistant to Ghana’s Minister for Energy, and was secretary to the country’s National Energy Transition Committee. He is also Ghana’s youngest Board Member of State Enterprise, and founder of play-it-forward Africa; a social enterprise using sports as a vehicle for impact in the health sector.The key themes we explore on this episode include:What a just energy transition could look like for Ghana. Some successful policies and strategies being used to tackle problems surrounding energy access, energy security and clean cooking.The value of stakeholder engagement in the policy making process.An insight into Ghana's energy transition framework including the potential for a carbon market.Enjoy!Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

A conversation with Hubert Waterinckx, a Social Development Specialist at the World Bank Group. We unravel Hubert's journey – from working as a Tax Lawyer, to being a reservist in the Belgian army,  to a visionary in social development, all fueled by his unwavering passion to spread prosperity across Africa! Since then, Hubert has worked on multiple large-scale infrastructure projects across Africa, from the West to the East of Africa. These projects span the health, education and of course energy sectors. When not at the World Bank Group, you may find Hubert lecturing  at Universite lumière de bujumbura ( ULBU). The key themes we explore on this episode include:Hubert's experience in delivering large-scale hydropower projects in Africa including the Kandadji project in Niger and the Jiji and Mulembwe project in Burundi.The value of being 'on the ground' in delivering projects in Africa.The Environmental and Social Framework of the world bank, which sets out the mandatory requirements of the Bank in relation to the projects it supports through Investment Project Financing .A day in the life of a Social Development Specialist at the World Bank Group. Enjoy!Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

We spoke with Edma Lawer, the founder and CEO of ELO Petroleum,  an Oil and Gas service company that specialises is providing manpower and materials in the upstream sector in Ghana.Edma also runs Youth Empowerment Wave Global (YEWGlobal), a Youth NGO that engages and inspires young people to use their skills to establish businesses for themselves.After completing undergraduate and masters degrees in Oil and Gas Management and  International Relations and Democratic Politics respectively, Edma relocated to Ghana to chase her dreams 5 years ago.The key themes we explore on this episode include:Edma’s experience with breaking into the Oil and Gas Industry in GhanaServices that ELO Petroleum provides and how they match talent with potential employersSome challenges associated with talent development and retention in Ghana and Africa as a wholeSome of the most sought after skills (technical and non-technical) within the industry in GhanaEnjoy!Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

We had a conversation with Chinenye Ajayi, an energy professional and commercial lawyer with over a decade worth of experience. Chinenye is currently the Team Lead of  the Power and Infrastructure Practice at Olaniwun Ajayi LP where she provides legal and business advisory services to clients within the energy sector, particularly in the renewable energy space. Amongst other volunteer activities, Chinenye also serves as a co-ordinator of the African Fellowship of Young Energy Leaders (AFYEL),  an education venture designed to invest into the next generation of energy leaders who will deliver sustainable access to energy and ultimately a zero carbon Africa. She also serves as the Vice Chair, Projects at the Energy Institute, Young Professionals Network, Nigeria.The key themes we explore on this episode include:The Nigeria Electricity Act 2023 which decentralises electricity regulation to the state level. An overview of the electricity value chain in Nigeria, along with the major stakeholders.Some identified opportunities to create new laws and regulation in areas such as the potential for trading renewable energy certificates.Chinenye's experience working as a lawyer within the energy sector, including key lessons for navigating the sector.Enjoy!Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn