Renewable Energy

SA’s Ramaphosa sets 2 trillion rand investment target by 2028

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has set a new investment target of two-trillion-rand by 2028, following the early achievement of the country’s previous 1.2-trillion-rand goal. Speaking at the SA-US business forum, Ramaphosa invited US investors to explore opportunities in sectors like renewable energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure.

24 September, 2024

Local

The Bank Windhoek Sustainability Bond completes N$407 million allocation

On Thursday, 19 September 2024, Bank Windhoek’s Chief Treasurer, Claire Hobbs, announced the release of the Bank’s third annual Sustainability Bond Impact Report, highlighting the ongoing commitment to responsible business practices and environmental stewardship for the 2023-2024 Financial Year. The Bank Windhoek Sustainability Bond was issued based on the Sustainable Bond Framework, with the first tranche issued in June 2021, raising N$227 million, and the second in December […]

23 September, 2024

Africa

Lithium mining in Zimbabwe: a story of loss for one community

By Joshua Matanzima, The University of Queensland Lithium is an essential component of electric vehicle batteries, which are becoming more important as the world moves to a low-carbon energy future. Large deposits of lithium exist in Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, the US, Australia, Portugal, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Ghana. Zimbabwe is the largest producer of lithium in Africa, and the ninth largest in the world. The Zimbabwean […]

19 September, 2024

Business / Economics

Trans Namib’s hydrogen-powered train expected by April 2025

TransNamib has temporarily suspended a project to convert two locomotives to run on hydrogen and diesel using locally produced green hydrogen. This follows the approval of a N$2.6 billion loan from the Development Bank of Namibia and the Development Bank of Southern Africa to help modernise its fleet. TransNamib and the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme expect a hydrogen-powered locomotive operational by April next year, according to TransNamib spokesperson Abigail Raubenheimer. […]

16 September, 2024

Africa

Nigerian households use a range of energy, from wood to solar – green energy planning must account for this

By Dennis Gabriel Pepple, University of Leicester and Daminabo Pokubo, Nottingham Trent University Low and middle-income countries generally lack access to renewable energy and rely excessively on traditional fuels like firewood and charcoal. In these countries, 2.6 billion people depend mainly on polluting fossil fuels (for electricity) and traditional biomass fuels (such as wood or charcoal for cooking) to meet their daily energy needs. In sub-Saharan Africa, […]

9 September, 2024

Africa

DRC is the world’s largest producer of cobalt – how control by local elites can shape the global battery industry

By Raphael Deberdt, Colorado School of Mines and Jessica DiCarlo, University of Utah The mineral-rich Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is often portrayed as a victim of exploitation by China, the US and Europe in their competition for its minerals, which are critical for the energy transition. But our research has found that the DRC can influence the shape of the cobalt market, in which it is […]

5 September, 2024

Africa

China’s interests in Africa are being shaped by the race for renewable energy

By Lauren Johnston, University of Sydney China-Africa relations have deepened over the past two decades, characterised by increased economic cooperation, investment and infrastructure development. China is now Africa’s largest trading partner, with partnerships focused on building roads, railways and energy projects. As the ninth Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) kicks off this week in Beijing, a new, green theme is shaping their relationship: the global renewable energy race. […]

2 September, 2024

Business / Economics

Green Hydrogen Commissioner gives a progress update

Namibia's green hydrogen plans have attracted interest from several countries, including European nations. At a press conference in Windhoek on Wednesday, Green Hydrogen Commissioner James Mnyupe gave an update on the progress of these projects. Mnyupe said that Namibia is currently developing about eight green hydrogen projects that are at various stages. Among these, the Daures project is nearing completion, with expectations to finalise by the end of […]

28 August, 2024

Africa

Africa’s off-grid solar sector is electrifying global investors

By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Africa’s off-grid solar sector continues to be a magnet for investment, with recent analysis from Africa: the Big Deal emphasizing its growing appeal to investors. Despite a general decline in start-up funding across the continent over the last two years, the industry remains a clear priority for both the social impact and regular investment community. According to Laura Fortes, the senior […]

22 August, 2024