Issue #0

Energy utilities and institutions in Africa

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In Africa, as elsewhere, people place a high value on access to modern forms of energy, notably electricity and motorized transport, in order to facilitate the provision of basic amenities. There is still a long way to go, however, before this vision of development becomes a reality for everyone in Africa. And merely increasing supplies of modern energy will not by itself meet the sharply rising demand. Of the utmost importance is how well or otherwise energy companies actually deliver appropriate and adequate energy services to their many different types of customer. Recognising this, the African Energy Policy Research Network conducted a programme of research in Kenya and the Sudan whose study in depth would illustrate the wide range of features and problems obtaining in the energy sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. The issues addressed in this volume cover questions of structure and process within energy utilities, their financial and technical performance, their ability to formulate and implement policies and strategies in fulfilment of their responsibilities, and their technical and managerial competence and skills.