Electricity Crisis in Africa – What’s Happening and How to Cope
Power cuts have become a daily headache for millions across the continent. Whether you’re trying to work from home, keep food fresh or just watch TV, the lights keep flickering. Below we break down why the electricity crisis is rolling out, what’s being done, and simple ways you can manage until things improve.
Why the Grid Is Struggling
Most African countries rely on aging power plants, limited investment and a boom in demand that outpaces supply. In South Africa, for example, old coal stations can’t keep up with growing industry and residential consumption, leading to the notorious load‑shedding schedule. In Nigeria, oil‑linked power generation faces fuel shortages, while the lack of new transmission lines creates bottlenecks that leave cities in the dark.
Climate change adds another twist. Droughts reduce hydro‑electric output, and heat waves push plants to their limits. Meanwhile, renewable projects are still too small or face bureaucratic delays, so they can’t fill the gap fast enough.
What Governments and Companies Are Doing
Governments are rolling out emergency plans that include rotating blackouts, demand‑side management and fast‑track approvals for new plants. South Africa’s Eskom has started a 10‑year refurbishment program for its coal fleet while investing in solar‑wind hybrids. Nigeria’s Power Holding Company is buying diesel generators to boost short‑term capacity.
Private investors are also stepping in. Independent power producers are building solar farms in Kenya and wind parks in Morocco, and they’re often linked to battery storage that can keep lights on even when the sun sets. International donors are funding grid‑modernisation projects that improve efficiency and reduce losses.
Even with these moves, progress is slow. Most projects take years from planning to operation, and funding gaps still exist. That’s why everyday people still need practical tips to survive the current outages.
Practical Ways to Deal With Outages
1. Backup Power: A small inverter or portable generator can keep essential devices running. Choose a model with enough wattage for a fridge, phone charger and a light. Keep fuel or batteries stocked in a safe spot.
2. Energy‑Saving Habits: Turn off non‑essential appliances during peak hours. Use LED bulbs, and consider a smart timer to switch off lights automatically.
3. Stay Informed: Most utilities publish load‑shedding schedules online or via SMS alerts. Subscribe to those feeds so you can plan work, cooking and study time around expected cuts.
4. Community Solutions: Neighborhoods are sharing solar kits and community batteries. Joining a local energy co‑op can give you access to shared power at lower cost.
5. Protect Your Devices: Power surges when electricity returns can fry electronics. Use surge protectors or unplug sensitive gear during outages.
These steps don’t fix the big problem, but they help you keep life moving while the larger fixes get built.
Bottom line: Africa’s electricity crisis is a mix of old infrastructure, rising demand and climate pressures. Governments, utilities and private investors are working on long‑term fixes, but they need years to deliver. In the meantime, backup power, smart usage and staying plugged into official alerts are your best tools to stay ahead of the next blackout.
Nigerian National Grid Collapse Sparks Nationwide Outage in February 2025
On February 12, 2025, Nigeria faced a massive power outage due to a national grid collapse, marking the second incident this year after a similar one on January 11. Distribution companies are working to restore power, while the Transmission Company of Nigeria has yet to comment. The frequent collapses, over 100 in the past decade, illustrate recurring issues with Nigeria's power infrastructure, affecting millions.
