Renewable Energy Jobs on the rise in Africa
A report’s analysis included India and reflected a similar impact. It categorizes pico-solar appliances, solar home systems, mini-grids.
In Nigeria and Kenya, the impact of renewable energy jobs is significant and growing. Renewable energy companies in Kenya account for 10,000 jobs. Nigeria employs 4,000 informal jobs compared to 10,000 in its traditional energy sectors
A growing crop of companies looking to resolve unreliable power supply through renewable energy fuels much of the sector’s growth. These allow consumers to pay with mobile money. Millions of dollars in venture capital back these solution-based companies. Offgrid tech was the third-highest funded startup sector in Africa last year, according to Partech Ventures.
With expected market adoption and expansion’s continued growth, job creation will impact renewables. Bringing a projected growth of 70% in Kenya and over 100% in Nigeria over the next four years. The impact is also much wider once you factor in both informal jobs in the sector. As well as jobs created thanks to improved electricity supply and access.
Job Creation and Renewable Energy Sectors
The projected pace of job creation is crucial. In Nigeria, unemployment keeps rising over the past four years. In the same vein, similar job creation impact by the sector across the continent will be vital. Given that Africa is home to the world’s fastest-growing labour force.
Pico-solar appliance and solar home system companies are the biggest job creators currently. But that should change over time with more countries adopting mini-grid solutions. Which, analysts say, are likely to deliver faster electrification progress. Especially for large-scale solar power projects likely soon hobbled by bureaucracy.