Africa is the least electrified continent in the world, where funding major power infrastructure has become far harder, grids are decrepit and state utilities are often broken. The result is that Africa cannot industrialize on a scale anywhere near what’s needed to create jobs for its young population, which by 2050 will nearly double to 2.5 billion, or a quarter of all humanity.

On this week’s podcast, our energy reporter Paul Burkhardt joins Jennifer Zabasajja to talk through the data showing the scale of Africa’s energy crisis. Then Jennifer hears from Dr Owen Omogiafo, CEO of Nigerian power giant Transcorp, and one of the speakers at the Bloomberg Africa Business Summit, about what role the private sector has in turning this around.

You can read Bloomberg’s Big Take on Africa’s Energy shortage here, and subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter here

Africa is the least electrified continent in the world, where funding major power infrastructure has become far harder, grids are decrepit and state utilities are often broken. The result is that Africa cannot industrialize on a scale anywhere near what&rsquo;s needed to create jobs for its young population, which by 2050 will nearly double to 2.5 billion, or a quarter of all humanity.
On this week&rsquo;s podcast, our energy reporter Paul Burkhardt joins Jennifer Zabasajja to talk through the data showing the scale of Africa&rsquo;s energy crisis. Then Jennifer hears from Dr Owen Omogiafo, CEO of Nigerian power giant Transcorp, and one of the speakers at the Bloomberg Africa Business Summit, about what role the private sector has in turning this around. You can read Bloomberg&rsquo;s Big Take on Africa&rsquo;s Energy shortage <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2025-africa-power-shortage-industrialization/">here</a>, and subscribe to the Next Africa newsletter <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/next-africa">here</a>

Each week, Jennifer Zabasajja provides a deep dive into the business stories that shape Africa. Join Jennifer and our Bloomberg reporters as they lift the lid on the news driving the continent. 

Each week, Jennifer Zabasajja provides a deep dive into the business stories that shape Africa. Join Jennifer and our Bloomberg reporters as they lift the lid on the news driving the continent.

Inside the stories shaping the world’s fastest-growing continent.

Next Africa

Each week, Jennifer Zabasajja provides a deep dive into the stories that shape Africa. Join Jennifer and our Bloomberg reporters as they lift the lid on the news driving the continent. 

Each week, Jennifer Zabasajja provides a deep dive into the stories that shape Africa. Join Jennifer and our Bloomberg reporters as they lift the lid on the news driving the continent.

How Africa’s Energy Shortage Holds Back its Industrial Revolution

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/caaa2021-6e96-4f08-b0c8-b39b00e32d43/transcript

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