Power play in West Africa
The countries in the region would all receive an economic boost if a regional power market can be established
Roughly half of the population of West Africa have no access to electricity. Of those who do, the quality of service is often so low that predicting when grid power will be available is a national pastime. Solving this challenge will allow business to flourish and boost economic growth. It is also a priority of politicians—providing stable power is one of the most visible signs that a government is delivering. In part this is an operational challenge, but it is also one of investment. Most utilities in the region struggle with the consequences of insufficient power—such as the need to load-shed, rely on costly oil-based generation or both. Others face the challenge of surplus generation capa
Also in this section
24 January 2025
Domestic companies in Nigeria and other African jurisdictions are buying assets from existing majors they view as more likely to deliver production upside under their stewardship
23 January 2025
The end of transit, though widely anticipated, leaves Europe paying a third more for gas than a year ago and greatly exposed to supply shocks
23 January 2025
The country’s government and E&P companies are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to increase domestic crude output as BP–ONGC tie-up leads the way
22 January 2025
The return of Donald Trump gives further evidence of ‘big oil’ as an investable asset, with the only question being whether anyone is really surprised
