Generation oversupply, not enough transmission, and offtaker risk are just a few challenges facing clean energy developers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite these obstacles, projects continue to get built a faster rate than almost anywhere in the world. This week, Switched On speaks with energy analyst Antoine Vagneur-Jones, from BloombergNEF's EMEA team, about clean energy proliferation in this region, what's driving it, and what developers should pay attention to when exploring opportunities there.

This episode is based on a report titled Sub-Saharan Africa Market Outlook 2020.

BNEF clients can access this report on bnef.com or BNEF Mobile, or at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal.

Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.

Generation oversupply, not enough transmission, and offtaker risk are just a few challenges facing clean energy developers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite these obstacles, projects continue to get built a faster rate than almost anywhere in the world. This week, Switched On speaks with energy analyst Antoine Vagneur-Jones, from BloombergNEF's EMEA team, about clean energy proliferation in this region, what's driving it, and what developers should pay attention to when exploring opportunities there.This episode is based on a report titled <a href="https://www.bnef.com/core/insights/22249">Sub-Saharan Africa Market Outlook 2020</a>.BNEF clients can access this report on <a href="www.bnef.com">bnef.com</a> or <a href="https://about.bnef.com/mobile/">BNEF Mobile</a>, or at BNEF&lt;GO&gt; on the Bloomberg Terminal.Switched On is hosted this week by Mark Taylor and Dana Perkins.

The future of energy, transport, sustainability and more, as told by BNEF analysts. Each week, Dana Perkins and Tom Rowlands-Rees sit down with BloombergNEF (BNEF) analysts to uncover the key findings and stories behind their latest research.

The future of energy, transport, sustainability and more, as told by BNEF analysts. Each week, Dana Perkins and Tom Rowlands-Rees sit down with BloombergNEF (BNEF) analysts to uncover the key findings and stories behind their latest research.

The future of energy, transport, sustainability and more from Bloomberg analysts

Switched On

Making Room for Renewables in Sub-Saharan Africa

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e31f1bb3-5351-41b7-ae1f-ae3c00101553/transcript

Europe’s gas market is heading into winter with little room for error. Lower storage levels and disruption in the Middle East have left the region more exposed to weather and competition for LNG. BNEF’s base case sees European storage falling to 21% by the end of March, but a prolonged Strait of Hormuz disruption or a particularly cold winter could push it toward 10%. Much will depend on temperatures, renewable generation and LNG demand elsewhere, particularly in Asia. Longer term, new supply could loosen the global gas market, but BNEF expects that relief to arrive from 2028 onwards. So how tight could the gas market get this winter, and what could tip the balance? On today’s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by BloombergNEF European gas market analyst, Arham Muhammad, and weather team associate, Jess Hicks to discuss the notes “LNG Market Outlook 2035: Oversupply to Fuel Demand Growth” and “European Gas Market Outlook 2035.”

Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com

Links to research notes from this episode:

European Gas Winter Outlook 2026-2027 - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40331

Europe&rsquo;s gas market is heading into winter with little room for error. Lower storage levels and disruption in the Middle East have left the region more exposed to weather and competition for LNG. BNEF&rsquo;s base case sees European storage falling to 21% by the end of March, but a prolonged Strait of Hormuz disruption or a particularly cold winter could push it toward 10%. Much will depend on temperatures, renewable generation and LNG demand elsewhere, particularly in Asia. Longer term, new supply could loosen the global gas market, but BNEF expects that relief to arrive from 2028 onwards. So how tight could the gas market get this winter, and what could tip the balance? On today&rsquo;s show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by BloombergNEF European gas market analyst, Arham Muhammad, and weather team associate, Jess Hicks to discuss the notes &ldquo;LNG Market Outlook 2035: Oversupply to Fuel Demand Growth&rdquo; and &ldquo;European Gas Market Outlook 2035.&rdquo;
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF&lt;GO&gt; on the Bloomberg Terminal or on<a href="https://www.bnef.com/"> bnef.com</a>
Links to research notes from this episode:
European Gas Winter Outlook 2026-2027 - <a href="https://www.bnef.com/insights/40331">https://www.bnef.com/insights/40331</a>

Global Gas Tug of War Is Brewing for Winter

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7ab3fb9f-57ae-4eda-8456-b4cd015579f8/transcript

No country can feed itself entirely on its own. The global food system depends on a complex web of trade, not just for food but for fertilizer, animal feed, pesticides and labor. Even major agricultural exporters rely on imports somewhere in their supply chains, leaving markets exposed when extreme weather, conflict or trade disputes disrupt these connections. Those vulnerabilities can appear in unexpected places: China and the Middle East depend heavily on imported food while supplying fertilizer to the world, and Brazil is a major food exporter that relies on imported fertilizer to sustain production. So in an increasingly volatile world, what makes a food system resilient, and where are its weakest links? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BloombergNEF analyst Helen Ramsbottom to discuss her note “Food Security During a Time of Geoeconomic Unrest.”

Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com

Links to research notes from this episode:

Food Security During a Time of Geoeconomic Unrest - https://www.bnef.com/insights/40191

No country can feed itself entirely on its own. The global food system depends on a complex web of trade, not just for food but for fertilizer, animal feed, pesticides and labor. Even major agricultural exporters rely on imports somewhere in their supply chains, leaving markets exposed when extreme weather, conflict or trade disputes disrupt these connections. Those vulnerabilities can appear in unexpected places: China and the Middle East depend heavily on imported food while supplying fertilizer to the world, and Brazil is a major food exporter that relies on imported fertilizer to sustain production. So in an increasingly volatile world, what makes a food system resilient, and where are its weakest links? On today&rsquo;s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by BloombergNEF analyst Helen Ramsbottom to discuss her note &ldquo;Food Security During a Time of Geoeconomic Unrest.&rdquo;
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF&lt;GO&gt; on the Bloomberg Terminal or on<a href="https://www.bnef.com/"> bnef.com</a>
Links to research notes from this episode:
Food Security During a Time of Geoeconomic Unrest - <a href="https://www.bnef.com/insights/40191">https://www.bnef.com/insights/40191</a>

Food and Farming Caught in Geopolitical Crossfire

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/da9c499a-4acc-4119-bf45-b4c9007a0b77/transcript

US efforts to secure its power grid could come at a cost. A new executive order could restrict grid and power equipment supplied by companies tied to China, with batteries particularly exposed. Around 60% of US lithium-ion battery imports came from mainland China and Hong Kong in 2025. The rules could boost demand for non-Chinese suppliers, but also increase costs and delay battery projects as developers await further guidance. So why could batteries feel the biggest impact from the latest US move to restrict Chinese power equipment? On today’s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by Zoe Zakrzewska, a member of BNEF’s trade and supply chain team, to discuss findings from her Analyst Reaction, “US Grid and Power Equipment Ban Hits Batteries Hardest.”

Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal or on bnef.com

Links to research notes from this episode:

US Grid and Power Equipment Ban Hits Batteries Hardest - https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tkfzv6t9njly00

US efforts to secure its power grid could come at a cost. A new executive order could restrict grid and power equipment supplied by companies tied to China, with batteries particularly exposed. Around 60% of US lithium-ion battery imports came from mainland China and Hong Kong in 2025. The rules could boost demand for non-Chinese suppliers, but also increase costs and delay battery projects as developers await further guidance. So why could batteries feel the biggest impact from the latest US move to restrict Chinese power equipment? On today&rsquo;s show, Kamala Schelling is joined by Zoe Zakrzewska, a member of BNEF&rsquo;s trade and supply chain team, to discuss findings from her Analyst Reaction, &ldquo;US Grid and Power Equipment Ban Hits Batteries Hardest.&rdquo;
Complementary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF&lt;GO&gt; on the Bloomberg Terminal or on <a href="https://www.bnef.com/">bnef.com</a>
Links to research notes from this episode:
US Grid and Power Equipment Ban Hits Batteries Hardest - <a href="https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tkfzv6t9njly00">https://www.bnef.com/analyst-reactions/tkfzv6t9njly00</a>

US Grid Ban Hits Batteries Hardest: Analyst Reaction

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/facc3c7c-498c-4128-a1cb-b4c500989e08/transcript

Making Room for Renewables in Sub-Saharan Africa

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