Energy, climate change and resilience in Mali – what do people in a West African country need for a good life? With Dr. Ibrahim Togola, MFC Nyetaa

emPower4Climate

Africa is the dynamic continent with fast growing population and relatively low electricity access rates. The continent is also hard hit by climate change, with some regions suffering from famines, in some parts as a consequence of unprecedented droughts.

The continent is also blessed with natural resources, after all with renewable energies, certainly enough to allow a good life for all citizens and communities. Africa has hardly contributed to climate change and has now the unique opportunity to leapfrog the fossil/nuclear ear most industrialised countries have gone through and to enter directly the solar age.

Our guest Dr. Ibrahim Togola has become one of the pioneers of renewable energy not only in his country, Mali, but in the West African region. After studying in St. Petersburg and Denmark, he initiated one of the most active NGOs in Mali, the Malifolkecenter, which implements programmes on climate, energy, agriculture and environment. Later he founded a company which is active in rural electrification.

We talk with Ibrahim about his concrete work, about the challenges he sees for the energy and food supply in Africa and about the prospects for the African continent. How far can the transformation towards modern renewable energy support Africa’s transition towards more resilience, independence and prosperity and what are the main barriers for such future.