Nigeria’s long-delayed Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway could be transformed into a self-financing smart infrastructure corridor through the deployment of AI-driven, solar-powered iLamp streetlights. Proposed by UK greentech firm Conflow Power Group in partnership with Nigeria’s Mora Energy, the project would install around 28,000 solar iLamps along the 700km route, creating a distributed AI computing network powered by Nvidia processors. By generating up to US$1.26 billion annually from AI processing services, the iLamps could help close the project’s multi-billion-dollar funding gap while delivering lighting, security, connectivity and smart-city services—positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for renewable energy-powered AI infrastructure.
Category: Energy
Africa: Energy, Renewable Energy, Green Energy, Gas, Oil, Electricity
5 Big Power Moves 2025 Brought Us
In 2025, South Africa’s energy sector reached a critical turning point, shifting from crisis management to long-term reform. This article by SolarAfrica CEO David McDonald outlines five major power moves reshaping the market: the transition toward a wholesale electricity market (SAWEM), a surge in energy trading licences, the rise of one-to-many renewable generation, the entry of private capital into transmission infrastructure, and unprecedented corporate adoption of renewable energy. Together, these changes are accelerating private investment, competition, and wheeling solutions—setting the stage for a faster, more flexible, and sustainable power system in 2026 and beyond.
South Africa’s Energy Market Opens Up – Why Large Users Need to Act Now
South Africa’s energy market is opening to competition, giving large power users new choices in how they secure electricity. Companies that act now—using tools like wheeling and data-driven procurement—can reduce long-term costs, improve reliability, and strengthen competitiveness in a rapidly changing market.
A temporary rise in African Emissions is justified on the way to energy prosperity
Africa faces a dual challenge: the world’s lowest per-capita emissions and the highest levels of energy poverty. In this opinion piece, Louis Strydom argues for a lean-carbon pathway—allowing a temporary, tightly controlled rise in emissions to rapidly expand reliable power while accelerating the shift to renewables. Instead of false choices between “no fossil fuels” and “gas everywhere,” he proposes fuel-flexible plants, declining fossil use, and strict carbon covenants to stabilise weak grids, replace costly diesel generation, and enable faster renewable deployment. With development financiers slowly embracing transitional projects, Africa can peak emissions early, avoid long-term fossil lock-in, and finally unlock growth without derailing global climate goals.
South African-founded maxwell+spark Closes $15M Series B Round with Chevron Technology Ventures, Idemitsu, and Klima
South African green-tech pioneer maxwell+spark raises $15M Series B led by Klima, Chevron Technology Ventures, and Idemitsu to expand its unified lithium-ion battery ecosystem. The funding accelerates global electrification across forklifts, transport refrigeration, and backup power — replacing diesel and lead-acid systems with cleaner, data-driven solutions.
The trust gap in energy transitions
As South Africa accelerates its transition to renewable energy, a growing trust gap is emerging in the solar energy sector. Many businesses have fallen victim to poorly executed installations, unreliable providers, and unclear financing models. Brandon Horn, Head of Commercial at SolarAfrica, argues that the issue lies not just in the technology but in the people behind it. Successful energy partnerships require in-house expertise, consistent quality, and accountability throughout the project lifecycle. SolarAfrica’s integrated approach, managing everything from design to asset management, offers a trustworthy solution, ensuring long-term performance and customer confidence.
Powering the future: Unlocking Africa’s renewable energy potential
Africa holds vast renewable energy resources, yet over half a billion people on the continent still lack electricity access. This article by Izaak Coetzee, Head of Strategic Insights & Analytics at Absa Group, outlines the strategic actions required to bridge Africa’s energy gap—ranging from modernising infrastructure and regulatory reform to unlocking blended finance solutions. With coordinated investment and policy, Africa can emerge as a global leader in the clean energy transition.
Available and Affordable Municipal Electricity: Shifting Generation to Point of Consumption through Smart Nano-Grid Deployments
In response to energy insecurity and centralized grid limitations, municipalities can take charge by deploying Smart Nano-Grids with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). This article outlines how decentralized, local generation transforms financial and operational dynamics, enabling more reliable, affordable, and self-sufficient electricity provision at municipal level.
Why Impact Investing Must Reshape M&A Strategy in Africa’s Energy Landscape
As Africa experiences a transformative energy transition, traditional M&A strategies focused solely on financial returns fall short in addressing social and environmental challenges. This article argues that impact investing must reshape merger and acquisition approaches in Africa’s energy sector by integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria into valuation and deal-making. Through case studies from Angola and Namibia, it demonstrates how embedding impact metrics into financial models can enhance value creation, support sustainable development, and align investments with local sovereignty and community needs.
De-Risking Africa’s Renewable Energy Agenda
“De-Risking Africa’s Renewable Energy Agenda” explores the critical role of financial and structural risk mitigation in unlocking investment for Africa’s renewable energy sector. Authors Opy Ramaremisa and Vuyo Mafrika of Absa CIB highlight the pressing need for early-stage support, innovative hedging tools, and market-responsive strategies to align investor confidence with the continent’s renewable energy ambitions. The article underscores how integrating risk management from project inception can bridge the gap between capital availability and project bankability.