Africa holds immense renewable energy potential, yet the continent attracts only a fraction of the necessary global investment, leaving millions without stable power. The true barrier, however, is not a lack of resources or technology, but a fundamental flaw in market design, writes Christoph Kellermann, Advisor for On-Grid Regulation and Market Development at GET.transform, in a recent analysis for ESI Africa.
The article, applying insights from the GET.transform report Breaking Barriers, Building Markets, argues that a single, financially strained utility is not a bankable model for private capital. Market reforms are the indispensable policy tool needed to de-risk investment and move capital off the sidelines. Examples like Namibia’s Modified Single Buyer model and South Africa’s utility unbundling demonstrate that a phased, inclusive approach can successfully transform energy systems.
By providing predictability and stability, these structural changes enable Africa to transition from fragmented projects to integrated, resilient markets that power industrialisation and deliver sustainable energy for all.
Read the full article at esi-africa.com.