Africa's Power Industry Faces Urgent Reinvention Needs

The article discusses the challenges facing the global power industry in Africa, emphasizing that without reinvention, the continent may be left behind. Lazaru Angbazo highlights that the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is creating new demands for power infrastructure, which are not being met due to outdated systems.

The demand for power linked to AI infrastructure is expected to sharply increase between 2022 and 2025, with AI queries consuming ten times the energy of traditional internet searches. In Nigeria, the peak transmission recently reached 5.8 gigawatts, while average delivery struggles at 4-5 gigawatts, indicating a system under strain.

The article notes that the current supply chain for generation and distribution equipment is becoming less accessible, and the focus on larger, faster-moving markets is overshadowing local needs. The industry is splitting into two segments: modern turbines with long-term service agreements and older fleets that are increasingly difficult to maintain.

This structural shift necessitates urgent action from Africa to develop its power infrastructure sustainably.