De-risking Energy Investment: How Guarantees Are Powering Africa's Energy Future

West Africa is at a critical juncture in its energy transition. As countries expand generation, strengthen transmission and deepen cross-border power trade, the region is also racing to crowd in long-term private capital. But political risk, utility liquidity constraints and currency volatility continue to weigh heavily on project bankability.In this podcast interview, recorded during WA-ECS in Ghana, Aliyu Alhassan, Underwriter at African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI), breaks down how risk guarantees, political risk insurance and credit enhancement tools are reshaping the investment landscape. He explains how these instruments are helping de-risk private participation, reinforce utility creditworthiness and support climate-aligned, multi-country energy projects—laying the groundwork for a more resilient and investable power sector across West Africa.