Energy and infrastructure leader Leslie Nelson GE Angola is challenging five common myths that continue to mislead individuals, businesses, and communities about Africa's energy future. Drawing on more than 25 years of hands-on experience across finance and power projects, Nelson states these myths slow progress and distract from practical solutions that already work. "When the lights go out multiple times per day, theory doesn't matter," Nelson said in a recent interview. "What matters is what actually keeps power on."
The first myth Nelson addresses is the belief that Africa lacks energy resources. While power shortages are common, leading many to assume resources are scarce, the reality is that Africa has vast solar, wind, hydropower, and natural gas reserves. The issue is access and infrastructure, not supply. Sub-Saharan Africa receives some of the highest solar irradiation in the world. Indeed, Africa is long on natural gas and short on power. Nelson points out that Gas to Power has the ability to close the power infrastructure gap in SSA. "The problem isn't potential," Nelson says. "It's turning potential into working systems." Individuals can learn which local resources are strongest where they live and support or explore small solar or mini-grid options for homes, schools, or shops.
The second myth is that reliable power must be expensive, often believed because many rely on diesel generators, which cost more over time. The reality is that generators can cost 2–3 times more per unit of energy than grid or solar power. Replacing diesel with solar or gas can cut costs by 40% or more. People can track monthly spend on fuel or generator maintenance and compare it with prepaid power or shared solar options.
Myth three is that big national grids are the only answer, a belief stemming from the perception that large grids feel like the "proper" solution. However, mini-grids and off-grid systems already power millions. They are faster to deploy and cheaper for rural areas. Nelson notes, "It's not about building the biggest thing. It's about building the thing that works. Connecting these mini grids will be the secret sauce to success." Those in rural or peri-urban areas are advised to look into community mini-grids or shared systems rather than waiting for a full grid extension.
The fourth myth is that energy problems are mainly technical, as power discussions often focus on equipment and engineering. In reality, human factors matter just as much. Training, maintenance, billing systems, and local buy-in determine success. "I've seen good projects fail because no one was trained to develop them, finance them and run them," Nelson said. "People matter as much as machines." Supporting local training programmes or encouraging basic maintenance skills in communities can help keep systems running.
The fifth and final myth is that individuals can't make a difference, with energy often feeling like a government or corporate issue. Nelson counters that individual actions add up, with education, awareness, and small choices influencing adoption and policy. People can share reliable information, mentor a student, or support a local energy or education initiative. Investing in and supporting Power Project Developers who have the skills to catalyze and accelerate these initiatives is crucial. "The lack of qualified Project Developers and early stage project financing continues to be a hindrance to progress," Nelson says. For more information on energy access challenges, visit https://www.worldbank.org.
Nelson concludes that Africa's energy challenge is not a lack of ideas or resources, but about choosing practical solutions that fit local needs and acting on them now. Over 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa still live without electricity, and unreliable power costs businesses an estimated $28 billion each year, according to the World Bank. Improving access and reliability is essential for jobs, healthcare, education, and long-term growth.
