This paper examines the challenges and tensions that arise in financing energy infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa, using case studies of Tanzania and Zambia to provide a historical perspective. Energy infrastructure investment is crucial to development and poverty reduction across Africa. Given the scale of finance needed, governments are increasingly looking to attract private-sector investment. However, it is clear that building infrastructure does not automatically bring broad-based growth and social development. This paper focuses on how to drive investment in sustainable infrastructure – that is, infrastructure that meets local needs in a socially acceptable, environmentally friendly and equitable manner. It identifies four tensions or challenges that arise in energy infrastructure development: balancing liberalization with regulation and control over resources; achieving attractive risk-return profiles while ensuring access and affordability of services; balancing the push for private-sector investment with effective public investments; and balancing local and national needs with the global sustainable development agenda.
Links:
[1] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/reports-documents/catalysing-investment-sustainable-energy-infrastructure-africa-overcoming
[2] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/author/oliver-johnson
[3] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/author/cassilde-muhoza
[4] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/author/philip-osano
[5] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/author/et-al
[6] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/publisher/stockholm-environment-institute
[7] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/energy
[8] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/infrastructure-development
[9] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/natural-gas
[10] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/electricity
[11] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/africa
[12] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/tanzania
[13] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/zambia
[14] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/private-sector
[15] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/sustainable-development-goals-sdgs