WHITE PAPER

The future of power and energy in Africa is at a significant junction. African states and the power stakeholders operating within them realise that the impact of providing universal access to affordable energy will not only lead to accelerated economic development but significant social improvements. Yet, to achieve universal access executives have many strategic decisions ahead of them.... The hitherto business as usual of bulk energy production and distribution through coal-fired power plans, centralised grids and public sector monopolies, is quickly coming under threat from new models of energy production and distribution.

The collaboration with GIBS Future of Business Project is aimed at supporting the decision making needed to be made by executives, who are leading their organisations through the changing energy landscape. The scenarios outlined by GIBS Future of Business Project at the start of this Whitepaper help utilities and the wider industry visualise what African utilities could look like in 2030 and try to answer the important question ‘how can utilities remain relevant, effective and lead the African energy revolution?’.

The GIBS Future of Business Project develops thought leadership to assist businesses operating in South Africa, Africa and BRICS, to remain competitive and effective in an ever-changing world. Through strategic foresight, scenario planning and trend analysis, the GIBS Future Project develops insight into the changing dynamics of markets, political economies and technology.

Clarion Energy, through African Utility Week, Future Energy East Africa, Future Energy West Africa and the Utility CEO Forum series shapes meetings and events that share ideas, encourage networking and facilitate business partnerships. Working with GIBS Future of Business Project at African Utility Week in May 2018, we gave the audience an opportunity to express their views of the relevance, possible impact and outcomes of future trends. They were highly engaged and supported the view that a rethink is needed in how the public sector engages the private sector in terms of collaboration for the sector’s future.