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

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.