Africa / Articles

South Africa is in the grip of a severe energy crisis, complete with rolling blackouts, industries stopping operations, much blaming and frustration - and plenty of opportunities.

This op-ed in the UK Guardian argues that while Africa's huge barrages are meant to create energy and clean water, the poorest communities are the losers in the race for the rewards.

Chinese corporations, financial institutions, and the Chinese government have shown an increasing interest in large dam projects in Africa. Civil society and dam-affected peoples’ movements are concerned that China’s own poor record on protecting human rights and the environment could mean trouble for African rivers now targeted for Chinese-built large dams.

A sea change is needed to get solar power widely distributed in Africa. An article by a solar expert in Kenya, from World Rivers Review, December 2006.

World Rivers Review, August 2006

It is cooking time in Bansoa, and rush-hour for Mrs. Tagme at her
corn mill and cassava grater. She offers her services to other women in
the small village situated in the hilly West Province of Cameroon. Her
corn mill and cassava grater are the only ones within a 5-kilometer

Extreme Vulnerability to Climate Change Increases Pressure on Rivers

by Lori Pottinger

The Bujagali Dam project is now being revived by the Ugandan government, in partnership with the Aga Khan’s Industrial Promotion Services, which recently signed a "power purchase agreement" on the project. This advisory, by the Ugandan NGO National Association of Professional Environmentalits, describes why this project should not go forward as is.

For too long, the World Bank has invested in grandiose projects that do little or nothing to help the poor. It’s time for its leaders to abandon the grand vision and embrace a down–to–earth approach.

The Government of Uganda is reviving the construction of Bujagali dam, which up to now has been mired in controversies. The controversies, among others, include corruption, over–pricing of both the dam and electricity to be generated, questionable technical design, engineered hydrological data, inappropriate environmental impact assessment and lack of transparency and accountability.