Continent Rising

When my colleagues and I launched Green Rising in August 2023, we declared: “Our mission is to help professionals in Africa’s green economy figure out the way forward.” Since then, we have grown our newsletter by leaps and bounds. And the green economy has grown even more so. Some ask – is the green economy distinct, is it separate from African business life? No, we don’t think so. All parts of the continent’s economy have developed green tints during 2024. How… where? We offer insights and ideas that document and drive a sustainable yet prosperous Africa, leaning on data and concise presentation. If you know someone who should be reading us, please encourage them to sign up. We provide our content free of charge – and rely on our subscribers and supporters to spread the word. Please do us a favour… and share this with someone who might subscribe. Call it an early Christmas present – to them and us. Thanks!! Subscribe here: greenrising dot com ... and learn how climate change is upending corporate Africa. The green economy is more than cleantech. All sectors on the continent are being disrupted. Today I've circled back to a dozen of our 2024 stories that represent the breadth of what is happening. They amount to analytical business memos looking at corporate solutions to Africa's climate crisis. They don't dwell on the problems. We all -- as professionals -- know what they are. What we really need, personally and collectively, are more and better fixes. Green Rising showcases overlooked opportunities, points out new thinking, takes experts outside silos, spots trends and above all unearths solutions. Africa’s green economy is growing fast. Yet it is highly fragmented and has few places where interested parties can find common ground. Do you know someone else who should join this conversation? Please invite them by sharing this or clicking on the link in the comments for more.

We’re hiring several people! Join us at Green Rising, the news media company covering Africa's green economy and climate businesses. It's a great opportunity for clear thinkers with research, analysis, writing & design skills. The JD below includes the application link (which also has a video of me talking about our work). We are a mix of journalists, researchers, marketers, engineers, scientists and lawyers who create top African climate and business content. I'll put the application link in the comments too.

Today I'd like to make a case for 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐮𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚’𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲. Admittedly, it’s controversial. Many doubts swirl around. I know I'm being provocative. But if we’re serious about no-carbon energy, all solutions should be considered. In any case – 𝐧𝐮𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬. Ten African countries are pursuing nuclear energy programmes at the moment. The west African country of Guinea this month signed a deal for a floating nuclear plant. 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭. The key is getting it right. So, will nuclear power light up Africa’s darkest corners? To hear where nuclear energy is suitable and which kind, please see the link in the comments below or sign up for our newsletter on Africa's green economy.

What do solar panels, irrigation systems, cookstoves and e-bikes have in common? They and many more green products can all run on the same payment system. And increasingly they do. A little appreciated business model is at the heart of Africa’s green economy. It solves one of the continent's trickiest problems: A lack of cash that previously slowed climate action. Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) is much overlooked but taking on mighty king cash and winning for the green economy across the continent PAYG now represents 37% of global solar kit sales. Last year, 1.7 million new PAYG kits were installed, worth $200 million, avoiding more than 100 million metric tons of CO2. Investors are flocking to it. They see an area where Africa is at the forefront of innovation. Two of the highest funded African startups, M-Kopa and Sun King, rely on the PAYG system. Sun King has doubled installations in two years, with most of its 23 million customers opting for PAYG. Want to know more about how an upstart payments idea is driving African climate action? See the link in the comments for our newsletter covering Africa's green economy.

Hurrah! Africa has doubled its installed electricity capacity to 245 Gigawatt over the past seven years, mostly from renewable sources. Yet a big blocker remains: Reliable transmission and distribution lines to get the power to homes and businesses are sorely missing. The context: Many renewables projects are located in remote areas, far from consumers. - Transmission lines can carry high-voltage power over long distances, but they’re costly. - Since 2014, they’ve only received 0.5% of the $41 billion invested in the continent’s energy sector. - Africa has 247 km of transmission lines per million people, compared to 610 km in Brazil and 807 km in America. Why it matters: Grid poverty results in a lack of access and magnifies efficiency losses. - Some 17% of electricity (or double the global average) is currently lost en route. - In 2022, that totalled 152.5 TWh, enough to power 244 million people, or more than 40% of Africa's unelectrified population of 600 million. The challenge: Infrastructure development in Africa is usually government-led. Plus, power grids take much longer to build than power plants. - New grids often require up to 15 years of planning, permitting and construction, compared to 1 to 5 years for renewables projects. - When plants are completed before grids are ready, utilities have to pay for unconsumed power. - The one-year delay in connecting Kenya’s Lake Turkana wind project cost taxpayers $134 million. Investment needed: The majority of African utilities already struggle financially. - They are unlikely to spend the extra $18.5 billion annually required for adequate transmission & distribution. - Even though it could reduce electricity losses by 30%. =>> For more, see the link in the comments.

Today's issue is live! Green Rising covers what's happening in Africa's green economy, this week the focus is on green building on the continent. 🗣 Issue n°37: 80% of African homes needed in 2050 haven't yet been built. How to ensure they are green? Construction will become a major part of Africa's climate economy. This will impact renewable energy, mining, mobility, infrastructure and carbon markets. See in comment to read the full issue! #climate #climatechange #climatechangeafrica #africa #green #greeneconomy #news #media #greenmedia #newsletter #greenafrica #climateaction #globalwarming #climatecrisis #greenbuilding

Yesterday's issue is live! Green Rising covers what's happening in Africa's green economy, this week the focus is on hydrogen. 🗣 Issue n°36: The scramble for green hydrogen is reshaping the continent. Every month the H2 silver bullet grows and grows, raising hopes across Africa. Here is how to ensure it hits the target. See in comment to read the full issue! #climate #climatechange #climatechangeafrica #africa #green #greeneconomy #news #media #greenmedia #newsletter #greenafrica #climateaction #globalwarming #climatecrisis #greenhydrogen

Have a read at today's issue! Green Rising covers what's happening in Africa's green economy, all the way to its fields. 🗣 Issue n°35: How to make the green transition finally work in agriculture The largest sector in Africa’s green economy is also the slowest to change. Here is why (think of turning an oil tanker). See in comment to read the full issue! #climate #climatechange #climatechangeafrica #africa #green #greeneconomy #news #media #greenmedia #newsletter #greenafrica #climateaction #globalwarming #climatecrisis #sustainableagriculture

How the climate sector can fulfil its jobs promise? At least $30 billion of climate finance arrives on the continent per year. You'd think that will result in plenty of new jobs. But does it? See in comment to read the full story! #climate #climatechange #climatechangeafrica #africa #green #greeneconomy #news #media #greenmedia #newsletter #greenafrica #climateaction #globalwarming #climatecrisis #climatejobs

Have a read at today's issue! Green Rising covers what's happening in Africa's green economy. 🗣 Issue n°34: How many jobs can African climate ventures realistically generate? The UN says 395 million — that would require a lift bigger than anything funded now. See in comment to read the full issue! #climate #climatechange #climatechangeafrica #africa #green #greeneconomy #news #media #greenmedia #newsletter #greenafrica #climateaction #globalwarming #climatecrisis