Leslie Nelson GE Angola Debunks 5 Myths Holding Back Africa's Energy Future

Energy and infrastructure leader Leslie Nelson GE Angola is challenging five persistent myths that distort perceptions of Africa's energy future, drawing on over 25 years of hands-on experience across finance and power projects. Nelson argues these misconceptions—including beliefs that Africa lacks energy resources, that reliable power must be expensive, that big national grids are the only solution, that energy problems are mainly technical, and that individuals can't make a difference—slow progress and distract from practical solutions already proving effective. The company emphasizes that Africa possesses vast solar, wind, hydropower, and natural gas reserves, with Sub-Saharan Africa receiving some of the highest solar irradiation globally, debunking the myth of resource scarcity. Instead, the real issues are access, infrastructure, and the critical shortage of qualified Project Developers and early stage project financing needed to catalyze initiatives.

Nelson provides actionable alternatives to each myth, advocating for localized solutions like small solar or mini-grid options that can cut costs by 40% or more compared to diesel generators, which are often 2–3 times more expensive per unit of energy. The reality, as Nelson notes, is that mini-grids and off-grid systems already power millions and are faster to deploy, especially in rural areas, with connecting these mini grids being the secret sauce to success. Beyond technical fixes, human factors such as training, maintenance, billing systems, and local buy-in are equally vital, as good projects can fail without proper development, finance, and operation. Individuals are encouraged to support local training programmes, share reliable information, and invest in Power Project Developers to drive change, highlighting that energy challenges stem not from a lack of ideas or resources but from choosing practical, locally fitting solutions and acting promptly.

The context underscores the urgency: over 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa live without electricity, and unreliable power costs businesses an estimated $28 billion annually, according to the World Bank. Improving energy access and reliability is essential for boosting jobs, healthcare, education, and long-term economic growth across the continent. By dispelling these myths, Leslie Nelson GE Angola aims to shift focus toward actionable strategies that leverage Africa's abundant resources and community-driven approaches, ultimately empowering stakeholders to accelerate progress in the energy sector.