Next Africa How Africa’s Energy Shortage Holds Back its Industrial Revolution
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Nov 20, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Paul Burkhardt, a Bloomberg energy reporter, and Dr. Owen Omojiafo, the CEO of Nigerian energy investor Transcorp, delve into Africa's critical energy crisis. They explore how outdated grids and funding challenges are stifling industrial growth, particularly in Nigeria. Paul highlights the economic impacts of diesel reliance and potential bright spots in renewable energy, while Dr. Omojiafo emphasizes private sector solutions to improve electricity access and drive Africa's industrial revolution. The stakes are high as the continent aims to power a booming population.
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Power Limits Africa's Manufacturing Growth
- Africa's manufacturing lags because electricity supply is drastically low compared with other regions.
- Without reliable power you cannot scale factories to create the jobs Africa needs by 2050.
Ethiopia's Dam Built By State And Unique Buyers
- Ethiopia funded and built the Grand Renaissance Dam largely through state backing and public support.
- The dam even found a major offtaker in crypto miners who take about 30% of its output, highlighting unusual demand patterns.
Generators Hide The Scale Of Grid Failure
- Nigeria's grid delivers only about six gigawatts while national need is 45–50 GW, forcing widespread generator use.
- Reliance on diesel and petrol generators costs the economy between 5% and 7% of GDP through fuel and outage impacts.