Digital revolution to drive climate action in Africa

In the midst of the global challenge of climate change, Africa finds itself at a critical juncture where the adoption of technology is not just advantageous but imperative for sustainable development. The digital revolution presents Africa with a multitude of opportunities to combat climate change and promote economic growth. At the recently concluded Connected Africa Summit 2024, CNBC Africa's Tabitha Muthoni engaged in a conversation with Eric Wanless, Managing Director and Head of Solutions at Global Energy Alliance for People & Planet, shedding light on the vast potential that technology holds for the continent. Wanless highlighted that Africa, with its substantial infrastructure needs to drive economic development, is well-positioned to capitalize on the benefits of distributed renewable energy. He emphasized the importance of intense interconnection and networking to maximize the value of these renewable energy sources. Wanless stressed that integrating energy, climate, and information communication technology (ICT) is crucial for sustainable development in the region. Furthermore, Wanless underscored the significance of battery energy storage in harnessing renewable power. He explained that as the world transitions to variable renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, the role of battery storage becomes paramount in ensuring low-cost electricity and grid stability. Wanless outlined distributed renewable energy and battery energy storage as two critical emerging trends that Africa needs to embrace. When discussing the market potential for energy storage solutions in Africa, Wanless estimated a significant opportunity worth around 90 gigawatts globally in the global south, translating to an investment of approximately five to ten billion dollars. He projected that Africa could account for nearly half of this market, offering not only a substantial financial opportunity but also paving the way for economic development, job creation, and enhanced livelihoods across the continent. On the topic of businesses innovating to deliver clean energy solutions to underserved communities, Wanless emphasized the importance of introducing productive uses of electricity alongside energy provision, especially for small-scale distributed systems. He highlighted the potential for companies to create profitable models by leveraging multiple value streams, whether through productive uses of electricity or by stacking various value sources for large-scale power storage. Discussing infrastructure and capacity building, Wanless acknowledged the critical need for support in the power sector to operate and maintain these technologies effectively. He mentioned ongoing initiatives aimed at empowering regulators and policymakers to engage with new energy solutions. Wanless noted that while maintenance is necessary for distributed renewable energy and battery storage systems, it is relatively simpler compared to traditional power sources like diesel generators. Policy and regulation emerged as pivotal factors in incentivizing investment in renewable energy storage and fostering a thriving digital climate solutions market in Africa, according to Wanless. He stressed the importance of policies that enable the monetization of services provided by these technologies, ensuring commercial viability and market growth in the renewable energy sector. Reflecting on the key lessons from the Connected Africa Summit 2024, Wanless emphasized the existing tools and resources available for driving climate action, implying that the challenge lies more in coordination and initiation rather than technical obstacles. Looking ahead, Wanless shared insights on the ongoing efforts of the Global Energy Alliance for People & Planet, highlighting their commitment to leveraging the digital revolution for advancing climate action in Africa. With a keen focus on building a sustainable future through technology and innovation, Wanless's vision underscores the transformative potential of the digital revolution in addressing climate change and spurring economic prosperity across the African continent.