Catalysing investment in sustainable energy infrastructure in Africa: overcoming financial and non-financial constraints

Catalysing investment in sustainable energy infrastructure in Africa: overcoming financial and non-financial constraints [1]

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.

Publication Date:

10/01/2017

Author(s): Oliver Johnson [2], Cassilde Muhoza [3], Philip Osano [4], & et al [5]

Source: Stockholm Environment Institute [6]

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