Africa is on the brink of a massive energy transformation. Electricity demand across the continent is expected to surge in the coming decades, driven by population growth, urbanization, and economic development.
Solar and wind power are set to play a central role in meeting that demand. In fact, Africa has some of the richest renewable resources in the world. As the authors of a recent study in npj Clean Energy put it plainly: “Africa’s renewable energy potential is vast.”
But there is a catch and it’s written in the sky.
And the study offers a serious warning: “Renewable energy deployment in Africa must account for the continent’s pronounced weather variability to ensure a reliable electricity supply.”
In other words, it’s not enough to know where the sun shines brightest or the wind blows strongest on average. What really matters is how reliable those resources are when the weather changes from day to day, week to week, and season to season.
To explore this, the researchers studied 45 years of weather data across Africa. They identified the best locations for solar panels and wind turbines, but they did more than just measure how much energy those places could produce. They also examined how much that energy output goes up and down when the weather changes.
Their findings show why this matters. Solar power is generally steady because the sun rises every day, even if clouds sometimes reduce output. Wind power, however, is much more unpredictable. Wind speeds can change quickly, causing electricity production to rise sharply or fall almost to zero.
Some countries experience especially large swings. In places like Uganda, wind power can vary dramatically throughout the year. In contrast, North Africa tends to have more consistent sunshine, making solar energy there easier to plan and manage.
To understand what causes these changes, the researchers looked beyond local weather conditions and examined large weather systems that affect wide areas for days or weeks at a time. These systems can influence cloud cover, rainfall, and wind strength across entire regions. When they are active, they can either increase renewable energy production or reduce it significantly.
However, the study found that global weather patterns alone do not explain everything that happens in Africa. Many changes in energy production are driven by regional weather behavior that global models often overlook. To address this, the researchers identified recurring African weather situations that are closely linked to changes in sunlight and wind.
These Africa-focused weather patterns help explain why energy output rises or falls in specific regions. In many parts of the continent– especially in tropical areas– these regional patterns describe changes in renewable energy more accurately than global weather explanations.
This is important because power systems must work reliably in real life, not just look good in planning documents. The study shows that no single weather pattern explains all energy changes across Africa. Different regions are affected by different combinations of global and local weather conditions. As a result, energy production tends to fluctuate most in tropical regions and least in northern parts of the continent.
The consequences for energy planning are serious. If planners ignore weather variability, they risk building systems that cannot cope with sudden drops in power production. This can lead to blackouts, higher costs, and emergency reliance on fossil fuels.
On the other hand, energy systems designed with weather awareness can perform much better. By understanding when and why energy production changes, planners can choose better locations, balance solar and wind power more effectively, and prepare for low-energy periods in advance.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“In Berkeley Earth’s estimation, 2025 had the warmest nationwide annual averages since instrumental records began in the following 16 countries: Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Nigeria, Rwanda, Togo, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Vietnam,” Berkeley Earth.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Mapping Soils, Missing Voices: Published in 1936, the Provisional Soil Map of East Africa was a landmark achievement in colonial-era science, created by British soil scientists working across East Africa. Drawing on limited and uneven data, the map openly showed gaps in knowledge while offering an innovative approach to soil classification. New historical research reveals that its creators were closely linked to international scientific debates and helped shape early global soil-mapping efforts. However, indigenous African farmers’ soil knowledge was largely ignored, despite its practical value. [Reference, European Journal of Soil Science]
Telehealth Can Bridge Mental Health Gaps After Stroke: The paper finds that telehealth–using phones or video calls to deliver care–can help stroke patients in Sub-Saharan Africa get much-needed mental health support. Many stroke survivors suffer from depression or anxiety but cannot access specialists due to distance, cost, or stigma. Telehealth works best when it fits local culture, is easy to use, and clearly saves time and money. Small pilot programs in countries like Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda show improved access and patient satisfaction. However, challenges such as poor internet, low digital skills, and weak policies remain. The study concludes that simple, culturally sensitive telehealth solutions can improve recovery if governments support and scale them fairly. [Reference, PLOS Global Public Health]
Nuclear Medicine Is Growing in Africa but Gaps Remain: Nuclear medicine services are now available in 29 African countries, showing steady progress despite major challenges. Advanced imaging machines are still limited, with only a few countries having enough scanners for their populations. Access to modern cancer imaging and treatment is improving, but remains uneven, and advanced therapies are available in only a small number of countries. High costs, shortages of trained staff, and limited health funding continue to slow expansion. Even so, nuclear medicine is growing faster in Africa than the global average. Continued investment in equipment, training, and supportive policies is needed to ensure fair access to these life-saving services. [Reference, The Journal of Nuclear Medicine]
Image Credit: chatgpt
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