Let's Talk Energy Podcast

In partnership with The Electricity Hub, this episode explored how scalable, bankable energy projects are unlocking long-term private capital and reshaping Africa's infrastructure investment landscape.Karim Nasser, Executive Chairman of NANT Power and Advisor to the Petrodex Board, shared the story behind the Nant Power Generation Project in Sierra Leone—a landmark combined-cycle gas project designed to nearly double the country's generation capacity. The conversation examined how innovative financing structures, DFI partnerships and strong commercial fundamentals are turning frontier-market risk into investable opportunity.

As Ghana prepares to host YES! On The Road, the conversation turns to the generation already reshaping Africa's energy landscape.In partnership with The Electricity Hub, we speak with Damilola Hamid Balogun, Co-Founder of Youth Sustainable Development Network (YSDN) — a leader working at the frontline of clean energy access, climate advocacy and green skills development across the continent.From community electrification to youth-led enterprise, this episode explores what real empowerment looks like on the ground — and what must shift in policy and industry to unlock Africa's emerging green economy.

Regional power integration is increasingly critical as West African countries seek to expand access, stabilise grids, and reduce electricity costs. The West African Power Pool (WAPP) provides the framework for interconnected systems and regional power trade, but progress depends on close coordination between governments, utilities, and the private sector.Recorded at WAECS25 in Ghana in partnership with The Electricity Hub, H.E. Honourable Charles Umehai, Deputy Minister of Mines & Energy of Liberia, and Arnaud Gouet, Senior Vice President at Release by Scatec, discuss how policy alignment and private-sector delivery are advancing regional integration. The conversation examines cross-border interconnection, utility reform, and the partnerships needed to strengthen reliability and scale affordable power across West Africa.

As West Africa seeks scalable solutions to close its persistent energy access gap, governments and industry leaders are rethinking the role of off-grid and decentralised power. With grid expansion struggling to keep pace with population growth and rising demand, mini-grids, solar home systems, and captive power plants are becoming central to electrification efforts. Solar has transformed rural access, yet questions remain about long-term sustainability, the role of gas as a balancing fuel, and the commercial viability of decentralised systems for communities and investors.Dr. Abba Aliyu, Managing Director and CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) of Nigeria, examines how off-grid technologies can power West Africa's future and what it will take to create resilient, investment-ready markets across the region.From scaling productive-use energy and catalysing local manufacturing to strengthening industrial growth through captive power and balancing renewables with gas in decentralised systems, he explores how off-grid solutions can evolve from stop-gap measures into a core pillar of West Africa's long-term energy strategy.

Recorded in partnership with The Electricity Hub in Ghana during the West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WA-ECS), this episode captures a timely discussion at the heart of West Africa's evolving power market.Against a backdrop of shifting development finance priorities and tighter global liquidity, we sit down with Roger Stuart, Head of the Regional Hub at the European Investment Bank, to explore how development finance institutions, commercial banks and domestic investors are adapting to finance the region's next generation of power projects.From blended finance structures and local-currency solutions to the growing influence of pension and sovereign wealth funds, this conversation unpacks what a more resilient, locally anchored financing ecosystem could mean for West Africa's energy transition.

Recorded at the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town last year, this episode — produced in partnership with The Electricity Hub — examines how development finance is driving Africa's just energy transition.In conversation with British International Investment (BII), we explore the shift from corporate finance to energy access investing, how large-scale infrastructure is balanced with decentralised solutions, and how catalytic capital unlocks scale, strengthens grids and delivers measurable impact.

Nigeria's electricity sector is at a critical turning point, facing persistent grid instability, limited generation capacity, and the urgent need to integrate renewable energy at scale. In this episode, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Honourable Minister of Power, discusses the strategic vision guiding Nigeria's electricity future and the reforms needed to build a reliable, efficient, and inclusive power system.From strengthening generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure to accelerating renewable energy deployment, attracting private investment, and deepening regional energy cooperation across West Africa, he explores how decisive policy direction and regulatory innovation can unlock new opportunities for economic growth, energy security, and sustainable development.

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.

Recorded at aef in Cape Town, this episode of Let's Talk Energy explores how African power systems are being built from cables to clean energy. Produced in partnership with The Electricity Hub, the conversation features Ms. Nadia Derafa, Regional Business Development Director – Africa at Elsewedy Electric. From manufacturing cables, transformers, and meters to delivering large-scale renewable and EPC projects, Elsewedy Electric's footprint spans the full energy value chain across Africa.The discussion examines what it takes to deliver mega projects, adapt solutions to Africa's markets, and respond to rising energy demand — including the company's outlook on South Africa. 

Recorded in Ghana during WA-ECS last December, and produced in partnership with The Electricity Hub, this conversation explores how finance is shaping Africa's energy future.Sydney Nii Ayitey Tetteh, Executive Head of Client Coverage, Corporate & Investment Banking at Stanbic Bank Ghana, unpacks the role of strategic financing, partnerships, and market frameworks in turning energy ambition into bankable, long-term development. From mobilising capital for power infrastructure to aligning public and private priorities, the discussion highlights how energy investment can drive industrialisation, competitiveness, and inclusive growth across the continent.

Recorded in Cape Town during aef 2025 and produced in partnership with The Electricity Hub, this episode features Hadyr Koumakpai, VP & GM Africa at JA Solar, on what it takes to scale solar across Africa.From utility-scale projects to systems powering farms, mines, and homes, the conversation explores how technology, partnerships, and policy are shaping a more resilient solar future for the continent

Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are becoming central to West Africa's push for stronger regional integration, cleaner energy systems, and more reliable power supply. As countries work to expand generation capacity, improve grid resilience, and accelerate sustainable development, strategic IPP investments are reshaping how the region plans, finances, and delivers energy infrastructure.Erik Granskog, CEO of Endeavor Energy, discusses the evolving role of IPPs in building West Africa's next-generation power systems. As the company behind transformational projects such as Twin City Energy in Ghana, the TE Power Project in Guinea, and the Bridge Power developments in Ghana, Endeavor Energy brings deep experience in developing large-scale, high-impact energy solutions across the region.

Across West Africa, the energy transition is advancing, but delivering results on the ground remains a challenge. Mini-grids, off-grid systems, and results-based finance are expanding access, yet depend on clear regulation, tariff certainty, and long-term commitment. Many communities still face limited access and high energy costs.Ngozi Beckley-Lines, Country Manager for Sierra Leone at Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), explores how policy and finance are supporting Sierra Leone's electrification efforts through the Universal Energy Facility (UEF). She examines the reforms needed to unlock private investment, scale mini-grids, and build an investment-ready energy market that delivers lasting impact.

As Africa accelerates its push to expand electricity access, attention is shifting from capacity alone to performance. Solar trackers—designed to follow the sun's path and maximise output—are becoming a critical tool in improving project economics, reliability, and scale across both grid-connected and off-grid systems.In this episode of Let's Talk Energy recorded during aef last year in Cape Town, Rad Abdalhaq, Director of Business Development and Sales at Nextracker MENA explores how tracker technology, data integration, and local adaptation are influencing Africa's electrification roadmap—and what the continent's solar future could look like by 2040.

Southern Africa is entering a pivotal decade for energy, with rising demand, climate pressures, and an urgent need for investment.In this episode of Let's Talk Energy, in partnership with The Electricity Hub, Helen Lubamba of Stanbic Bank Zambia and Rentia van Tonder of Standard Bank — Lead Sponsor of ZimZam 2025— spoke about financing the region's energy transition.The conversation explored how mobilising capital, building climate-resilient infrastructure, and strengthening regional power systems can help Southern Africa accelerate its transition to clean, reliable power.

In this episode of the Let's Talk Energy Podcast, The Electricity Hub is delighted to speak with Kuso Kamwambi, Head of Zambia's Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) and Permanent Secretary of the Management Development Division.As Zambia works to turn national priorities into real results, Kuso Kamwambi explains how the PDU is reshaping policy delivery—expanding energy access, accelerating infrastructure projects, and driving the country's 1,000 MW solar ambition. She highlights how the Unit is breaking bottlenecks, using innovative delivery tools, and ensuring government priorities translate into measurable impact for citizens.

As Africa's energy landscape rapidly evolves, a new class of market actors is reshaping how power moves across the continent. In this 1st interview of the ZimZam 'Let's Talk Energy' Podcast, The Electricity Hub speaks with Monie Captan, Deputy CEO of Petrodex, one of West Africa's leading energy trading companies. With deep insight into the region's power markets, Monie Captan is driving initiatives that enhance liquidity, strengthen utilities, and open new pathways for efficient power delivery.Monie discussed how energy traders are transforming the sector, what this means for the future of national utilities and the regional grid, and the lessons from trader-backed projects across West Africa, particularly for emerging corridors like Zimbabwe and Zambia.

South Africa's power market reform marks a pivotal step toward a more reliable, competitive, and sustainable energy system. In this episode, Kesh Mudaly and Adwoa Banful, Power Sector experts at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), join Let's Talk Energy to discuss how structural reforms can unlock over R1.5 trillion in investment, strengthen grid capacity, and enable a just transition. From regulatory clarity and institutional readiness to the rise of green value chains and local job creation, they explore how market reform could redefine South Africa's power landscape — and its broader economic future.

Nigeria's energy transition is both a national imperative and a global expectation — and at its core lies the question of legal readiness. In this episode, Oludare Senbore, Partner at ALN Nigeria, Aluko & Oyebode, joins Let's Talk Energy to unpack how legal frameworks, policy reforms, and regulatory clarity will shape Nigeria's path toward a low-carbon future. From balancing the role of gas as a transition fuel to ensuring ESG compliance and investor confidence, Senbore offers expert insights into how the legal sector is positioning Nigeria to meet its energy and climate ambitions while navigating a rapidly evolving policy landscape.

In this episode, Sean Naude, Account Manager at Sungrow, discusses how the global renewable energy leader is driving Africa's clean energy transition. From pioneering solar-plus-storage in Malawi to enabling South Africa's first hybrid wind-solar-battery plant, Sungrow is redefining what's possible for sustainable power on the continent.Naude shares insights on how Sungrow is tackling the challenges of renewable integration, affordability, and scalability — while highlighting the policies, innovations, and partnerships shaping Africa's energy future.

In this episode, Thabile Ngwato, Co-Founder and CEO of Newzroom Afrika, reflects on her journey as a young media entrepreneur redefining how African stories are told. She shares insights on building a trusted news platform in a rapidly changing media landscape and explores how communication can influence public perception, policy, and participation in Africa's energy transition. Ngwato also highlights the importance of youth leadership, innovation, and collaboration in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for the continent.

In this episode, Harry Boyd-Carpenter, Managing Director of the Sustainable Infrastructure Group at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), discusses how African countries can successfully navigate the complex shift from coal to clean energy. Drawing on global experience from the EBRD's just transition initiatives, he shares insights on designing practical coal-to-clean roadmaps, balancing energy security with decarbonisation, and the critical role of policy tools like carbon pricing and subsidy reform. Boyd-Carpenter also highlights how international institutions can help bridge the gap between national ambition and local impact—ensuring that no community is left behind in Africa's clean energy journey.

In this episode, Dr. Enos Banda, CEO of ENERTRAG South Africa, explores how Contracts for Difference (CfDs) could accelerate renewable energy deployment across the continent. From ENERTRAG's legacy Darling Wind Farm to the upcoming 210 MW Hendrina Wind Project in Mpumalanga, Dr. Banda highlights how CfDs can de-risk investment, integrate hybrid systems like wind, solar, and hydrogen, and attract developers to frontier markets. He also shares ENERTRAG's vision for scaling renewables through innovative financing and infrastructure frameworks across South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, and beyond.

Recorded at the Africa Energy Forum 2025 in Cape Town, this episode of the Let's Talk Energy podcast features Peter Venn, CEO of Seriti Green, on the company's bold shift from coal to renewables. From building one of Africa's largest wind portfolios to navigating carbon markets and innovative financing, Peter unpacks how Seriti Green is reshaping the continent's energy transition while balancing its coal legacy.He also examines the strategic role of wind energy, its community impact, and why just transition narratives are crucial for Africa's future—brought to you in partnership with The Electricity Hub.

Africa's energy transition is moving at pace, with solar, wind, hydro, and storage opening new pathways for security, resilience, and growth. In this episode, Alberto Gambacorta, Executive Vice President and General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at Scatec ASA, reflects on the opportunities and challenges of scaling renewables across the continent. From the launch of the Lyra Energy platform to large-scale PV and battery storage projects, and the "Africa United" theme of aef 2025, he shares insights on what the future of energy could look like for the region.

In this episode, Elsa Strydom, Interim Head of South Africa's IPP Office, explores how independent power producers are expanding electricity access in a constrained grid environment. From new procurement rounds in renewables, gas, and battery storage to local job creation and training opportunities, she highlights how the IPP Programme is driving a fair and sustainable energy future — recorded during the Africa Energy Forum 2025 in Cape Town.

In this episode of the Africa Energy Forum Podcast, Stuart MacWilliam, Chief Development Officer at Mulilo, explores the journey of scaling renewable energy projects from concept to commercialisation. From navigating regulatory and permitting challenges to structuring innovative PPAs and financing models, he shares how Mulilo delivers utility-scale projects while building lasting community partnerships. Recorded during the aef 2025 in Cape Town.

In this episode of Let's Talk Energy, Rentia van Tonder, Head of Power, and Aadil Cajee, Head of Energy & Infrastructure Finance at Standard Bank CIB, discuss how finance is evolving from a transactional role to a strategic driver in Africa's energy transition. From shaping inclusive and climate-resilient energy systems to embedding ESG principles that create real community value, they share how financial institutions are becoming architects of Africa's energy future.

In this episode, Zaheer Khan, Regional Director for South Africa at Trina Solar MEA, explores how Trina Solar is supporting Africa's energy transition through large-scale solar projects and partnerships. From supplying PV modules for South Africa's REIPPPP to collaborating with local developers, he shares how innovation and collaboration are expanding access to clean, reliable power across the continent.

In this episode, Cobus van Schalkwyk, Director of Global Mining and Managing Director of Rolls-Royce Solutions Africa, discusses how on-site biogas and industrial bio-digesters are transforming power for Africa's remote mining operations. He explains how flexible, low-emission power systems are reducing reliance on diesel, cutting costs, and providing sustainable off-grid energy solutions. Cobus also shares insights into Rolls-Royce's new regional facility and how investment in local infrastructure and skills is creating long-term value for African industries — a conversation recorded during the Africa Energy Forum 2025 in Cape Town.

In this episode, Weiwei Du, Head of Middle East and Africa at Tongwei Solar, discusses the company's growing role in advancing solar energy across the MEA region. From supplying 1.175 GW of modules to ACWA Power in Saudi Arabia, to co-developing the 140 MW Doornhoek project in South Africa, Du shares how Tongwei's expansion strategy is aligning with regional goals for clean power and net-zero. She also explains how innovation, partnerships, and policy alignment are driving Tongwei's vision for a unified and sustainable energy future — a conversation recorded during the Africa Energy Forum 2025 in Cape Town.

In this episode, Alexandra Cluver, Partner at Bowmans, discusses how South Africa's Wholesale Electricity Market is reshaping the country's power sector. From the introduction of the new Market Code and its impact on independent power producers to the evolution of power purchase agreements, she explains how a liberalised market is creating investor confidence and new opportunities for private sector participation. Recorded during the Africa Energy Forum 2025 in Cape Town, in partnership with The Electricity Hub.

In this episode, Dietmar Siersdorfer, Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa at Siemens Energy, discusses the evolving role of gas in Africa's energy transition and why 2025 is a pivotal moment for the sector. From integrating gas with renewables to delivering reliable, affordable power, Dietmar shares insights on investment trends, innovative hybrid models, and how gas-to-power can help build a resilient and sustainable energy mix across the continent — recorded during the Africa Energy Forum 2025 in Cape Town.

In this episode, Ronald Chindeka, Head of Investment and Funding at Pele Green Energy, explores the rise of battery energy storage in Africa and how to finance it at scale. From lessons learned on the €84 million Kolda project to new models leveraging Africa's mineral wealth, he shares strategies to overcome capital barriers and accelerate clean energy deployment across the continent.

In this episode, Zandile Hlatywayo, Chief of Staff and Head of Strategy at Allied Talent Partners, shares why Africa's people are the continent's most powerful energy resource. From tackling the silent crisis of talent access to building a borderless, skills-first ecosystem, she explains how ATP is reshaping project outcomes and creating new opportunities for Africa-based professionals in the energy sector — a conversation recorded at the African Energy Forum 2025, Cape Town.

In this episode, Youri Harel, Head of Specialised Finance at Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) discuss how innovative financing solutions are driving Africa's energy transition. From funding renewable energy projects in emerging markets to supporting the development of gas, critical minerals, and green hydrogen, MCB shares its approach to balancing sustainability with scale. We explore the role of structured debt, ESG integration, and cross-sector collaboration in closing the continent's infrastructure financing gap — and hear real-world insights from successful projects advancing Africa's low-carbon future.

In this episode, Ed Stumpf, Investment Director at African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), explores how private capital is shaping the future of sustainable infrastructure across the continent. From net-zero energy solutions to the critical role of minerals in the energy transition, Ed shares AIIM's approach to unlocking transformative impact in Africa's energy and digital sectors, despite the challenges. We also dive into exciting new projects and key takeaways from this year's aef in Cape Town.

Callixte Kambanda talks to John Hamilton about the partnership between AfDB and World Bank Group that aims to provide 300 million people in Africa with electricity access by 2030, and the reforms and enabling environments needed to encourage private sector involvement. He discusses his support for the power pools and the importance of working at a regional level for harmonised regulatory frameworks in readiness for further investment.

Ranked top in Wood Mackenzie's 2024 solar PV manufacture rankings, Hadyr Koumakpai, General Manager Africa, JA Solar, talks to Tony Tiyou about sustainability, progression, and reliability, why innovation is not just about technology, and the importance of an international mindset. Plus, what it means to be a vertically integrated company, ESG, and the need for greater integration between governments, stronger power pools, and interconnection to make faster progress in energy across Africa.

Amyn Mussa from ALN Kenya talks to John Hamilton about the growth of private sector-led investment in East Africa, the opportunities brought by the green transition, and the challenges for governments with worsening balance sheets. He discusses regulatory reforms, utility restructures, the importance of state off takers, and why transition and distribution must go hand-in-hand with the generation projects. Plus, C&I, green ammonia, and the importance of food security.

Richard Nelson, Coordinator at Power Africa, talks to George Hudson about the first few months in his new role at Power Africa, and the launch of the Empower West Africa (EWA) Activity. He discusses how Power Africa is working to support private sector investment in transmission projects, the role of government, and the increasing effectiveness of the regional power pools, He also talks about the importance of collaboration, and why aef is the place for real debate and practical partner-to-partner connections.

ATIDI's Obbie Banda takes time out in the middle of a busy aef to talk to George Hudson, sharing the excitement of the collaboration with Globeleq. He discusses the significance of the RLSF MOU signed with Kenya, the importance of derisking projects for lenders and developers, expectations for the next five years, the importance of sharing success stories - and fantasy football!

Rim Azirar talks to Marc Howard about SunFunder, its work over the last 12 years in the renewable space in Africa, joining forces with Mirova, and the launch of the Mirova Gigaton Fund. Also in the discussion; distributed renewable energy, C&I financing for small as well as large-scale projects, the company's work in the mini grid space and the potential for e-mobility.

Shirley Webber talks to Jon Marks about the pace of projects, an explosion of activity in the C&I space, and private financing in transmission and infrastructure. Plus, trends, battery storage, progress on RFPs, mining and power traders, cross border trade, and using Africa's resources to help Africa grow.

Sarvesh Suri, Director, IFC, talks to John Hamilton about defining energy as a priority and the World Bank and AfDB's initiative to achieve 300 million connections in Africa by 2030.With recent projects both on and off grid, he discusses the importance of attracting private sector investment, and how a shift in approach and the expansion of MIGA's role will help create solutions on a country-by-country basis.

Olivier Pognon, together with Gadi Taj Ndahumba, talks to George Hudson about his background, the unique role of the ALSF, and how its services to the government are more necessary and in demand than ever.He discusses the excessive debt burden incurred by African countries, the need for more equitable agreements, and the role of the ALSF as a facilitator, educator and protector.Gadi highlights new trends in finance for transmission, shares his optimism around changes in global finance architecture and innovative funding, as well as hopes for creative solutions to high interest rates that can benefit Africa and the world.

Grace Waswa hears from Ayobami Adedinni, Founder, The Energy Intelligence, about the power of storytelling, and how, as a young journalist in Nigeria, he was inspired to launch his own media organisation for the renewable energy sector.

Lucy Mutuku talks to Grace Waswa about finding purpose, her passion for youth empowerment and the role of the National Youth Caucus in Africa. Find out why more young people should venture into entrepreneurship – and why believing in yourself is so important.

In a brilliant conversation with Grace Waswa, Lucy Nyoike explains the background and mission behind GEAPP, the impact of energy poverty on lives, and the GEAPP projects set to address this. Lucy also talks about women in energy, the importance of partnerships and collaboration – and has inspiring advice for young people.

Tune in to hear from Deline Ramiro in conversation with Grace Waswa as she discusses her work in the Kakuma refugee camp. A refugee herself, Deline talks about the importance of teaching digital skills to help build lives and create livelihoods. Find out how energy and power affect her work and the lives of those around her, what motivates her and what advice on leadership she has for other young people.