When we think of energy infrastructure, expansive solar farms and towering wind turbines often come to mind. Yet the true backbone of Africa’s renewable future lies in power transmission – vast superhighways that surge electrons with precision.
By Curtis Meintjies, Head of Environment and Social: Central Asia, ACWA Power
READ TIME: 3 MIN
Key takeaways:
1. Underinvestment in power transmission infrastructure is a major barrier to expanding energy access in Africa.
2. Innovative public-private partnership (PPP) models are critical to accelerating grid expansion and integrating renewable energy.
3. Grid challenges can be overcome with integrated planning, engineering, and close collaboration.
Between 2010 and 2020, less than 0.3% of private investment in sub-Saharan Africa’s energy infrastructure went to transmission projects. This underinvestment stems from the complexity and length of the projects, which require careful planning, extended construction timelines, and coordination across governments and regulatory agencies.
Neglecting these critical electrical highways comes at a steep price. Nearly two-thirds of Africans still don’t have electricity and one of the reasons is limited generation capacity and weak transmission lines that constrain the continent’s economic growth and social development.
To put this gap in perspective, sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa) carries only 229 to 247 kilometres of transmission lines per million people, far behind Brazil’s 610 kilometres and the US’s 807 kilometres per million people.
Without dramatically expanding these power corridors, Africa risks leaving generation assets stranded, unable to deliver the current that could power progress where it’s needed most.
THE SWITCH TO Independent POWER transmission
Zambia provides a clear example of how private-sector participation in electricity transmission can energise industrial hubs like the Copperbelt by strengthening power infrastructure.
Independent power transmission (IPT) projects have unlocked over USD24 billion in private investment between 1998 and 2015 through competitive tenders for specific lines.
This delivered nearly 100 000 kilometres of new lines in countries such as Brazil, Peru, and India.
Unlike fully privatised networks, IPTs require fewer regulatory reforms, making them well suited to African countries still developing their power frameworks.
South Africa’s transmission programme accelerates grid growth
South Africa’s Independent Transmission Projects (ITP) programme is an example of this, with plans to add more than 14 000 kilometres of transmission lines by 2033 to support 53 GW of new generation.
Current expansion – approximately 1 400 kilometres annually – lags what’s needed for energy security.
Approved in 2023, the ITP programme creates a transparent framework for private-sector involvement in financing, building, and operating transmission infrastructure.
This public-private partnership (PPP), led by the National Transmission Company South Africa, is key to accelerating grid growth and integrating renewable energy sources.
This infrastructure forms the heart of Africa’s transition to a 21st-century digital power grid, a resilient system designed to expand energy access, drive industrial growth, and enable sustainable economic development.
By leveraging private-sector innovation, modern transmission networks unlock affordable, diverse generation sources, enhance energy security, and accelerate the integration of renewable energy, and energy storage.
These advancements position Africa to meet rising demand and build a power system that is flexible, efficient, and future-ready.
Lessons in speed and innovation from Central Asia
Transmission infrastructure often takes years to complete, especially when vast networks must carry electricity from remote generation sites to distant load centres.
In Central Asia, renewable energy developers are delivering giga-scale projects in remote deserts, simultaneously constructing vast transmission networks at speed.
This demonstrates that even the most daunting generation and transmission challenges can be overcome with vision, integrated planning, and accelerated engineering to ultimately deliver power to millions and light the path towards a modern, resilient energy system.
“By leveraging private-sector innovation, modern transmission networks unlock affordable, diverse generation sources.”
Private transmission depends on further reform
While the potential is clear, African governments face challenges in adopting such models.
Legal and regulatory frameworks often have to be amended to allow multiple transmission providers, establish transparent tendering processes, and clarify operational responsibilities.
Governments must collaborate closely with development finance institutions to create concessional lending models compatible with private sector participation, ensuring affordability for consumers.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria has taken early steps towards private tendering, receiving dozens of prequalification applications from global bidders.
Although paused due to financial viability concerns, it signals growing interest in reform.
A call for confidence
For too long, Africa’s power transmission networks have been gridlocked, leaving millions disconnected and generation assets stranded.
Yet, successes in Zambia and South Africa illuminate the way forward, showing how innovative PPPs and targeted investments can unlock the continent’s transmission potential.
This builds confidence to accelerate regulatory reforms and scale modern, resilient transmission corridors.
By breaking this gridlock and expanding the transmission backbone, Africa can create an integrated, efficient energy system that powers homes, industries, and economies.