Africa is the second largest and second most populous continent, and has the world’s fastest growing population, 43% of which is under the age of 15. Its economies are diverse with East Africa leading GDP growth rates – averaging close to 6% a year since 2008. Yet 600 million people, or nearly half the African population, lack access to power. Power is foundational and the need is enormous, and getting bigger.
As the region seeks to increase power production and access, many African countries – especially those in East Africa, and particularly Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda – have committed to increase capacity via renewable and sustainable sources such as hydro, solar, wind, and biomass.
To get a sense for the need and scale of opportunity in Africa we encourage you to listen to this episode of the podcast featuring Jonathan Shafer, Co-Founder of Fortis Green, who is currently living in Rwanda working to help build the world’s fastest growing continent.