Will there be a solar power boom in Africa?

Africa gets a world beating amount of sunshine — but has just 1%
of the world’s solar panels.


Over half the continent still lives without electricity, stalling
progress and holding back people’s lives. But change may be
coming — thanks to a surge in solar imports from China.


New data from energy think tank EMBER shows a 60% jump in solar
panel shipments to Africa in the past year. If installed, they
could generate 15 GW — nearly doubling Africa’s current solar
capacity.


It’s not just the biggest energy users like South Africa,
Nigeria, and Algeria. Countries like Liberia, DRC, Benin, Angola,
and Ethiopia have tripled their imports.


So, is this the start of a solar-powered revolution on the
continent?


Hosts Graihagh Jackson and Jordan Dunbar speak to Dr Rose Mutiso,
Science Advisor at the Energy for Growth Hub and Founder of the
African Tech Futures Lab.


Got a question? Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com


Production Team: Jordan Dunbar, Nik Sindle, Diane Richardson,
Grace Braddock, Chris Gouzaris and Tom Brignell Editor: Simon
Watts