What role do renewables play in bridging the gap between energy access, economic growth, and sustainable development in Africa? Ndiarka Mbodji, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kowry Energy, shares her vision for the continent's future.
Interviewed by Klara Marie Schroeder
What sets us apart from our peers is our approach rather than our goal. Our company may be young, but we bring deep industrial experience to the table. We come from automotive, aerospace, and rail and apply an industrial approach to delivering projects and energy solutions. When I compare us to our peers in this sector, excluding the large EPCs working on gigawatt-scale systems, we focus on grid-connected systems ranging from 100-kilowatt peaks to 2, 3, 4, or even 5megawatts. This background gives us three key advantages:
The first is project execution. Our experience in large-scale industries has shaped how we deliver projects efficiently and reliably. The second is technological expertise. We have deep knowledge of technology, allowing us to optimize our systems effectively. The third is our business approach. Coming from industries like aerospace, where market leaders compete fiercely but still know how to collaborate, we bring a highly collaborative mindset to this sector.
In contrast, many companies in this space are young and focused on becoming the next big thing, often trying to do everything themselves. We take a different path. We work across the value chain, forming long-term partnerships with suppliers, customers, and - most importantly - local SMEs. Instead of relying on imports, we focus on knowledge transfer and job creation within local markets. Our vision goes beyond just selling electricity. We are committed to economic development, ensuring our projects contribute to sustainable growth wherever we operate.
The main challenge is not just accessing renewable energy- but accessing energy at all. This is particularly relevant in two areas: peri-urban zones, where most people rely on the national grid, and rural areas with little to no access.
In peri-urban zones, the national grid is often unreliable due to limited capacity. Many grids were established during colonial times and have seen little expansion over the past 60 years. While capacity has improved in the last decade, the transmission infrastructure has not kept pace. This means that even if two gigawatts are generated, only one gigawatt may be effectively delivered. As a result, consumers experience frequent power cuts and high costs.
For example, in Dakar, where our Kowry Senegal operations are based, electricity from the national grid costs around 24–25 cents per kilowatt-hour. That is comparable to, or even more expensive than, prices in Berlin. The combination of high costs and unreliable supply makes it difficult for businesses and individuals to thrive.
Meanwhile, about half the population, particularly in rural areas, lacks access to electricity. In some countries, such as Congo, this impacts millions of people.
Economic development stagnates without reliable and affordable energy, and industrialization remains out of reach. Renewable energy presents a significant opportunity, as the region is rich in natural resources. However, without proper infrastructure and investment, the energy gap will continue to hinder progress.
Africa has contributed less than 5% to global greenhouse gas emissions yet is among the most affected by climate change. This makes it even more urgent to address the imbalance. At the same time, the continent is a century behind in economic development and must harness all available energy sources to grow its economy. This requires a balanced mix of renewables - solar, wind, and biomass- alongside natural gas, which is essential as a transition energy, particularly for heavy industry.
However, one crucial factor often overlooked is the involvement of local communities. With 70% of the population working in agriculture, many Africans have a deep connection to the land and an intrinsic understanding of how to protect natural resources.
In Senegal, I have engaged extensively with activists and community leaders- both men and women - who are already taking significant action to protect their environment. They are on the front lines of climate change and are driving meaningful solutions. What they seek is greater support for expanding renewable energy to mitigate global warming.
This is a shared fight, and we are all working toward the same goal: sustainable development that prioritizes both economic growth and environmental responsibility.
How support can be more effective is still an open question. I often discuss this with colleagues and governments in Europe, and while they provide significant support, the effectiveness of that aid remains debatable.
If we look at development aid globally, the US leads in total contributions, but in terms of GDP share, Germany ranks among the highest, followed by France. A substantial amount of money is already being spent, but it still falls short of actual needs. The way this money is allocated and used is often misaligned with local realities. Aid and development financing are frequently provided with predetermined conditions rather than being shaped by the actual needs of the recipient countries.
Change is happening, though. A positive example is Germany’s Just Energy Transition Partnership, which allows recipient countries to decide how to allocate funds based on their economic priorities rather than imposing external conditions. This shift is promising, but the real challenge lies in how aid money is utilized.
Rather than directing funds solely into projects, the focus should be on using them to de-risk investments and attract private sector capital. Currently, most funding comes from development finance institutions and aid rather than private investment. Given the scale of financing required, developed countries cannot meet these needs alone using public funds.
Following the model of the Just Energy Transition Partnership, more effort should go into leveraging aid money to provide guarantees to local banks. This would enable businesses to access funding in local currencies, making it easier to scale renewable energy projects and drive economic development. Effective de-risking mechanisms will be key to unlocking private sector investment and ensuring long-term, sustainable growth.
Geopolitical tensions will undoubtedly impact Africa’s energy transition, but this is not a new phenomenon - major powers have always sought to assert their influence. The key shift today is that African nations, through the African Union and regional policies, are increasingly prioritizing their own interests rather than aligning with one global power over another.
Western countries often express concerns that Africa is moving away from their sphere of influence, but this perspective is outdated. The focus should not be on choosing sides but on ensuring long-term, strategic partnerships that align with Africa’s development goals. Europe remains a crucial partner, as do the US and China, but African nations must negotiate based on their own economic and climate resilience needs.
There are lessons to be learned from past dependencies. US Aid, for example, has played a critical role in funding healthcare and infrastructure but can be abruptly withdrawn, leaving gaps in essential services. At the same time, heavy reliance on Chinese loans has led to unsustainable debt burdens in many African countries. Neither extreme - total dependence on aid or long-term indebtedness - is beneficial.
Current geopolitical shifts present Africa with a unique opportunity to redefine its position in global trade and investment. The focus should be on securing balanced agreements that foster long-term energy security, industrial growth, and economic independence. If African leaders seize this moment wisely, they can leverage global competition to drive real, sustainable progress.
It is simple: Africa holds the key to the energy security of developed nations. Despite persistent narratives of poverty and risk, the reality is that Europe’s energy future depends on Africa. As Europe accelerates toward climate neutrality, hydrogen will become the primary baseload energy source once gas is phased out. But hydrogen production requires solar energy and water—both abundant in Africa.
Beyond hydrogen, the AI revolution also depends on Africa. AI development requires massive energy for data centers, battery storage, and AI chips—all reliant on rare minerals. Most of these minerals are found in Africa, with smaller reserves in China and Latin America.
We are in the middle of a global shift, and while these transformations will take decades, Africa’s strategic role is undeniable. The African Union’s Agenda 2063 outlines a vision for managing resources effectively, but the challenge lies in how Africa positions itself within these geopolitical shifts. Encouraging signs are emerging, with reforms in Botswana, Kenya, and other nations.
Climate neutrality cannot be achieved without Africa. The developed world is inextricably linked to the continent—not just for resources but for stability. If Africa fails to create value and jobs for its rapidly growing population, Europe will face a far greater crisis than energy shortages.
For the first time, Africa has the chance to be at the winners' table, but success depends on seizing the moment strategically. It’s not about old-world exploitation versus new-world allies - it’s about defining Africa’s own interests and creating value for itself and the global economy.
I think the energy discussion needs to expand, especially in the context of Africa. While renewable energy and climate change are important, the real challenge in Africa is that half a billion people, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, are unemployed. With a population expected to double by 2050 and an average age of 18, this issue is only going to grow. Many jobs will have to come from industries such as factories, manufacturing, and industrial parks that require reliable, large-scale energy to run. Without this, we will not solve the unemployment crisis.
The focus on adding renewables to the grid to reduce emissions is important, but we also need to think about how energy can drive economic growth and industrialization. Instead of just focusing on reducing emissions, we should be talking about how to use energy to create jobs and industries. A gigawatt of power could fuel an industrial park, creating thousands of jobs. Without this, we will continue to see small-scale solutions that do not address the massive unemployment problem.
We also need to ensure that when we build energy infrastructure, we are not just exporting resources but adding value and creating opportunities. The goal should be job creation through industrial growth, not just clean energy for the sake of emissions reduction. If we don't solve the employment issue in Africa, the challenges in the coming decades will be much greater than we anticipate.
Energy is key, and without it driving industry, social stability will remain at risk. The conversation needs to shift from simply decarbonizing to integrating energy with job creation and economic development. If we don’t act now, the next decade’s crisis will be much bigger. This is where the energy discussion needs to go - it may be controversial, but it is crucial to address. Berlin Global Dialogue can play a vital role here, by enabling people with different opinions to come together and challenge each other.
Ndiarka Mbodji is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kowry Energy Services. With 15 years at Rolls-Royce and 7 in automotive supply chain roles, she brings 18+ years of senior expertise in operations, engineering, and customer business. A French-Senegalese professional, she holds a Chemistry degree from Toulouse and is a TUCK2030 Global Leadership graduate from Dartmouth.
