The focus over the years in many African countries has been large-scale hydropower schemes. Recent studies have shown that electricity generation through small hydropower (SHP) is gaining owing to its short gestation period, low investment and least environmental impacts. Also, economically viable and proven small scale hydropower technologies have been commercially developed and are available for generating both electrical and mechanical power for rural industrialisation and development. This report is
an attempt to compile available information on large and small hydropower (SHP) capacities for currently installed, potential, on-going and pipe-line projects in Africa.