A sad update

From ‘What can we do?’: Millions in African countries need power by Mogomotsi Magome.  

From Zimbabwe, where many must work at night because it’s the only time there is power, to Nigeria where collapses of the grid are frequent, the reliable supply of electricity remains elusive across Africa.

[snip]

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has grappled with an inadequate power supply for many years, generating just 4,000 megawatts though the population of more than 210 million people needs 30,000 megawatts, say experts. The oil-rich but energy-poor West African nation has ramped up investments in the power sector but endemic corruption and mismanagement have resulted in little gains.

I lived in Nigeria circa 1963-64, in Port Harcourt in eastern Nigeria. 

We were accustomed to rolling blackouts, brownouts and power spikes.  And then there were those times when the power just went off unannounced and for no known reason.  Everything had to be on a circuit breaker because spikes in power were frequent, blowing out appliances unless protected.  Flashlights and candles were strategically located in easily accessible places all over the house.  

Sixty years later and it appears nothing has changed.  There is a quiet tragedy there because it was avoidable.  The money was there, the talent was there, the demand was there.  Just not the markets or the governance.