Energy infrastructure will shape future mining growth

Adequate energy
infrastructure will
determine whether the African
mining sector realises projected
growth, according to Nigeria
Emir of Kano and chairman of
the Black Rhino Group, Lamido
Sanusi.
“Energy demand in sub-
Saharan Africa alone grew by
45% from 2000 to 2012. It
accounts for only 4% of the
world total despite being home
to 13% of the global population,”
he said. “We have to recognise
that the African energy sector is
vital to its future development. It
remains one of the most poorly
understood regions within the
global energy system.”
Sanusi said sub-Saharan Africa
faced huge energy challenges.
“Far more so than North Africa
where the GDP per capita is at
least two and a half times that
of sub-Saharan Africa and less
than 1% of the population is
without electricity. The effective
development of sub-Saharan
Africa energy resources – the
energy sector as a whole – will
unlock huge gains across the
economies.”
In light of African countries
struggling to attract the
necessary funding for
infrastructure projects Sanusi
said it was advisable that
regional strategies be developed.
“This must be encouraged
so that natural resources and
geographic advances can be
used to advance the continent.
Working together will be the
only way forward,” he said. “At
the same time efforts need to be
made to address the quality of
infrastructure spending. Less
wastage and new financing
methods will be required.”