Africa's Big Switch (ABS)

Dec 06 2023 1

Africa's Big Switch (ABS) Podcast artwork

Africa’s Big Switch is a podcast that aims to identify current and future solutions to complex problems on the African continent. Examples of such problems include: Climate Change, Homelessness, Poverty, Political Instability, Famine, Floods etc.Our first season sheds light and sparks conversation around the future of energy in Africa.Why Energy?Modern society depends on reliable and affordable energy services to function smoothly and to develop equitably. A well-established energy system supports all sectors from medicine and education to agriculture, infrastructure, communications and high-technology. However, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), there are over 770 million people in the world today without access to electricity, 77% of which are in Sub-saharan Africa. The Sustainable Development Goal 7 of the UN Agenda, aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030. Given we are only a few years to 2030, we explore the progress, challenges and opportunities for achieving this goal across

Subscribe on Podcast Addict

Bonus: Sit Down with Your Hosts 2.0

Dec 06 2023 51 mins

On this episode of Africa's Big Switch Podcast, hosts Hassana, Joshua, Beatrice, and Bolaji reflect on the 14 episodes released so far. They discuss the progress that has been made and give insights into the future direction of the podcast. The conversation takes on a more casual and chat-like tone rather than a formal interview. The hosts also take the opportunity to wish the

ABS E22 Sawa Energy: Providing C&I Solar Solutions to Rwandan Businesses

Nov 07 2023 39 mins

On this episode of ABS, we sat down with Eder Munyampenda, the Rwanda Country Manager at Sawa Energy, a startup that empowers East Africa’s small and medium businesses by reducing electricity pricing and volatility. Sawa Energy was founded by three environmentally and socially conscious entrepreneurs, who bring significant experience in solar, finance and business. Sawa Energy ai

ABS E21: Understanding the Effect of Fuel Subsidy Removal in Nigeria

Oct 24 2023 36 mins

We had a conversation with Noelle Okwedy, the Energy Insights Lead at Stears, a startup focused on providing data and insights to professionals interested in the African continent. Having worked in the Nigerian power sector after studying financial economics with econometrics at the University of Kent. Noelle is passionate about improving energy access in Africa.We cover the follow

ABS E20 Funnelling Investments into the African Energy Sector

Oct 11 2023 40 mins

On this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Kelly-Ann Mealia, Chairperson and Co-Founder of Energy Capital & Power. Kelly-Ann brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in facilitating financial investments in Africa, shedding light on the significant impact these gatherings have on promoting investment and forging strategic alliances in Africa's energy industry

ABS E19 Uwana Energy: Creating an Online Solar Marketplace

Sep 26 2023 43 mins

We had a conversation with Natasha Ibori, the Co-founder of Uwana Energy, a clean energy management platform and marketplace, to help people seamlessly transition to clean, affordable energy.Uwana Energy is an impact-driven entrepreneur committed to giving more people the freedom to do whatever they want. Having worked in climate and finance across 4 continents, she is experienced

ABS E18 The Electricity Market in Nigeria: A Legal Perspective

Sep 12 2023 45 mins

We had a conversation with Chinenye Ajayi, an energy professional and commercial lawyer with over a decade worth of experience. Chinenye is currently the Team Lead of the Power and Infrastructure Practice at Olaniwun Ajayi LP where she provides legal and business advisory services to clients within the energy sector, particularly in the renewable energy space. Amongst other volunt

ABS E17: Providing Auxiliary Services to Oil and Gas Companies in Ghana

Aug 29 2023 51 mins

We spoke with Edma Lawer, the founder and CEO of ELO Petroleum, an Oil and Gas service company that specialises is providing manpower and materials in the upstream sector in Ghana.Edma also runs Youth Empowerment Wave Global (YEWGlobal), a Youth NGO that engages and inspires young people to use their skills to establish businesses for themselves.After completing undergraduate and m

ABS E16: Sustainable Development in Burundi

Aug 15 2023 38 mins

A conversation with Hubert Waterinckx, a Social Development Specialist at the World Bank Group. We unravel Hubert's journey – from working as a Tax Lawyer, to being a reservist in the Belgian army, to a visionary in social development, all fueled by his unwavering passion to spread prosperity across Africa! Since then, Hubert has worked on multiple large-scale infrastructure

ABS E15: The Energy Transition in Ghana

Jun 27 2023 40 mins

An exciting conversation with Bradley K. Poku-Amankwah , the acting Principal Coordinator at the Ghana Energy Transition Office. The Ghana Energy Transition Office is a collaboration between the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All and the Government of Ghana based at the office of the President in Accra. Prior to this, Bradley served as the Senior Technical Assistant to Ghana

ABS E14: Empowering Communities in Malawi for a Sustainable Future

Jun 13 2023 39 mins

We had a great conversation with Pam Haigh, who is the UK General Manager at Ripple Africa.Ripple Africa is a UK registered charity working to improve local environment, education and healthcare in Malawi, Africa. Operating at the grassroots level, involving the community in all aspects of its activity, Ripple Africa has over 690 staff and 12,000 people in Malawi working on project