Electricity
Electricity is a form of energy resulting from the flow of electric charge, widely used for power generation, transmission and distribution to industrial, commercial and residential consumers. It is a fundamental utility that underpins modern economies, enabling manufacturing, transport, communications, healthcare and domestic activities. Electricity is generated from diverse sources including coal, natural gas, nuclear fission, hydropower, wind, solar photovoltaic panels and other renewables. The electricity industry encompasses generation companies, transmission system operators, distribution networks and retail suppliers, often operating under regulatory frameworks that balance investment, reliability and affordability. In many African markets, state-owned utilities dominate generation and distribution, though independent power producers and private participation are growing. Electricity supply reliability is a critical economic indicator; shortages and loadshedding can constrain growth, disrupt production and raise costs. Demand for electricity in sub-Saharan Africa is rising with urbanisation, industrialisation and expanding access, yet generation capacity and grid infrastructure often lag behind need. Tariff structures, cost-reflective pricing and subsidy reform remain contentious policy issues across the continent. The transition to lower-carbon electricity generation is reshaping investment, regulation and technology choices worldwide. Electricity markets vary from vertically integrated monopolies to unbundled, competitive structures with wholesale trading and retail choice.
Electricity Updates
Gambia protesters burn tyres to denounce power cuts
By: Reuters 8th September 2026 Police used tear gas to disperse protesters who gathered overnight in multiple locations in Gambia, including near President Adama Barrow's... →
Businesses not yet feeling the effect of reforms, as confidence drops – BLSA 
By: Schalk Burger 7th September 2026 Businesses are unfortunately not yet feeling the impact of structural reforms on the ground, with felt progress important in the move toward a new... →
Households continue to face high cost of essentials – Commission
By: Schalk Burger 4th September 2026 The Competition Commission’s ‘2026 Cost of Living’ (COL) report shows that household budgets are under sustained pressure as electricity, water,... →
€300m in JET-linked loans to support trading-services reform across South Africa’s cities
By: Terence Creamer 3rd September 2026 The National Treasury has secured €300-million in concessional loan financing, equivalent to R5.6-billion, to support its Metro Trading Services... →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South Africa's President, at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium of South Africa, Cape Town (25/08/2026)
26th August 2026 At the centre of discussion at the Summit was the work we must collectively undertake to further integrate the economies of our region.... →
SA: Velenkosini Hlabisa: Address by Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa 2026, Cape Town (26/08/2026)
26th August 2026 The infrastructure challenges and opportunities facing our cities and municipalities require government, businesses, investors, development... →
CDE report says Joburg budget is ‘disconnected from reality’, with water failures biggest risk
By: Sashnee Moodley 25th August 2026 With unpaid bills owed to the City of Johannesburg rising from about R15-billion in 2014/15 to nearly R72-billion in 2024/25, the Centre for... →
Infrastructure South Africa promises quarterly updates ahead of release of third edition of ‘Construction Book’
By: Terence Creamer 24th August 2026 Infrastructure South Africa has indicated that it plans to offer quarterly status reports on the projects that are included in its so-called... →
DA condemns municipal collapse after sheriff seizes vehicles in Maluti-a-Phofung
14th August 2026 The Democratic Alliance in Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality condemns the financial collapse of Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality following the... →
Libya's State power company says attack on Zawiya substation causes major outage
By: Reuters 12th August 2026 The General Electricity Company of Libya said on Wednesday that an attack on the South Zawiya substation caused a complete outage and loss of power... →
