Press Release
Wärtsilä reaches 7GW installed power capacity milestone in Africa
Wärtsilä’s Energy system integration night (Image: Wärtsilä)
With over 600 power plants commissioned in 46 African countries, Wärtsilä confirms its position as a leading provider of power generation solutions in the continent
The technology group Wärtsilä first began its Africa operations in Tanzania back in 1975. Since then, the group has delivered more than 600 installations, supplied power plants in 46 countries, generating 25% of the national electricity supply in over 25 countries. Total installed capacity now exceeds 7.4 GW of which one-third is covered by operation and maintenance contracts. Today, Wärtsilä is the undisputed leader in the medium-speed power engine market in Africa.
This strong track record, built up over decades, has its roots in a dedicated local presence combined with the capability to bring together international expertise to build groundbreaking energy solutions.
Wärtsilä’s Industry Firsts in Africa
With more than 650 employees and service hubs located in Kenya, South Africa, and Senegal. Wärtsilä is proud to have contributed to many industry firsts. These include Africa’s largest gas engine power plant on the Kribi coast of Cameroon with 216MW capacity, as well as Africa’s highest installation, the 175 MW power plant in Sasolburg, South Africa, sitting at 1,700 meters above sea level.
Another first, the KivuWatt power plant in Rwanda, is the first ever power plant to use the naturally occurring methane from lake Kivu to generate electricity and reduce the environmental risks associated with such high concentrations of gas. Today’s power output is 25 MW but future planned expansions to this project will increase capacity by an additional 75 MW.
Wärtsilä’s reciprocating gas engine technology and innovative energy management systems play an important role in response to Africa’s growing demand for flexible and reliable electricity. Small to medium size projects can be used to establish microgrids in remote regions. Their flexibility means that they can work hand in hand with renewable energy resources. Output can be ramped up at the same rate as wind or solar output fluctuates. One example is the 15 MWp hybrid engine-solar PV power plant for the Essakane gold mine in Burkina Faso: The combination of low-cost renewables with flexible engine solutions enables energy intensive industries to enter an era of more cost efficient and climate friendly operations.
Africa’s Future, Beyond Energy
No single project is the same. As a leading international EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) company, Wärtsilä has a history of providing unique power solutions to meet the specific challenges of its clients. As well as to extend educational and economic benefits to local communities when delivering on projects such as Tasiast in Mauritania and Ndola in Zambia
“For Wärtsilä, EPC also means Experience, Proven and Compliant. These projects have helped several nations accelerate their development and increase their standard of living, not to forget the many jobs created across the continent. At the heart of each project is local engagement, training and transmission.”, said Fabien Cadaut, Marketing & Communications Manager, Africa, Wärtsilä Energy.
This is why Wärtsilä has proudly joined forces with Ambitious.Africa, an initiative working to connect the youth of African and Nordic countries. To foster upcoming talent and co-create a more equal and sustainable future. Through this association, Wärtsilä can actively connect students, entrepreneurs, start-ups, financiers, and other stakeholders from across two continents. And provide them with the knowledge, skills and training they need to bring about real and lasting change.
As another example, Wärtsilä provides local institutions in Senegal with hands-on training and support for talented students often struggling to find their place in working life. This is part of its corporate social responsibility efforts. Another recent contribution was made in support of solar energy unit installations in informal settlements in the Western Cape. The households in these settlements are either connected to an illegal and unsafe electricity source or have no access to basic electricity.
As recent contracts such as the 120 MW power plant project in Gabon. The 90 MW gas conversion project in Senegal, and renewed O&M contracts in Nigeria demonstrate, Wärtsilä is committed to accelerate broad-based electrification across Africa.
ATIDI CEO, Manuel Moses and Hiroshi Matano, MIGA Executive Vice President (Image: Supplied)
The African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), part of World Bank Group Guarantees, have signed a three-year partnership to accelerate foreign direct investment across Africa. This is the second agreement between the two organizations aimed at maximising development impact.
The organizations will collaborate by leveraging ATIDI’s expertise in insurance and guarantee products across the African continent and MIGA’s range of guarantee solutions and guarantee expertise through the World Bank Group guarantee platform. The partnership will also seek to improve efficiency in joint project due diligence, maximising cost savings and eliminating duplication.
Manuel Moses, CEO, ATIDI: “Enabling more investment to finance transformational projects is vital to Africa’s sustained development. MIGA and ATIDI’s de-risking solutions are essential to achieve this crucial agenda. Beyond signing of this agreement, we look forward to a dynamic collaboration with MIGA, to leverage our institutions’ respective assets for the benefit of our continent.”
The agreement framework emphasizes mutual reliance, accountability, and comparability. Each party will regularly share operating standards and procedures to help identify comparable outcomes to further both organizations’ development mandates.
Hiroshi Matano, MIGA Executive Vice President says; “Our partnership with ATIDI will enable us to support countries in Africa in scaling and replicating development projects, thereby accelerating prosperity. This agreement will play a significant role in helping the continent attract foreign investment for key development projects.”
Both organizations have agreed to set up mechanisms to measure progress and results, including reports on joint projects, new products, capital mobilized, and reduced project processing times. Moreover, both parties will carry out joint marketing efforts, training, and seminars to strengthen cooperation and explore new investment opportunities in Africa.
The strategic agreement framework underscores the commitment of MIGA and ATIDI to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. The two organizations aim to mitigate investment risks by pooling resources, thereby accelerating sustainable economic growth in Africa.
Lendsqr, a global provider of loan management software for banks, microfinance institutions (MFIs), and digital lenders, has launched a groundbreaking onlending initiative aimed at bolstering the capacity of Nigerian lenders to extend credit to their customers.
With this new initiative, Lendsqr is setting up a capital pool of up to N1 billion line of credit for lenders targeted at Lenders with State Moneylender or Cooperative licenses, giving them the much-needed access to capital that can drive sustainable growth and expansion.
“For a long time, we believed that providing top-tier lending technology was enough to help lenders scale,” said Adedeji Olowe, CEO of Lendsqr. “But technology alone cannot scale a loan business without adequate capital. That’s why we decided to go a step further and solve this critical need.”
The onlending model is designed to support digital lenders who often face challenges accessing loan capital, allowing them to access credit at a reasonable rate. Through this initiative, Lendsqr aims to bridge the gap between technology and capital, ensuring lenders can meet the demand for loans while remaining competitive.
A new era of B2B2C lending
Lendsqr’s onlending initiative represents a strategic step forward in Nigeria’s lending ecosystem. With the ability to offer overdraft loans, the company enables smaller financial institutions to lend confidently, knowing they have a reliable source of capital backing them up. This move is expected to deepen financial inclusion, create a ripple effect on local economies, and ultimately support the development of a healthier financial services landscape in Nigeria.
Lendsqr now joins established onlending capital in Africa such as Lendable, the Nigerian Bank of Industry, and the African Finance Corporation, in providing capital to lenders to drive financial inclusion and much needed growth within the SME economic subsector.
Expanding access and opportunities
By providing loan capital directly to digital lenders, Lendsqr aims to empower lenders to reach more customers, serve new markets, and achieve more stable growth. The initiative not only addresses immediate funding gaps but also sets a foundation for long-term partnerships across the financial industry.
“We’re excited to be the catalyst for growth in Nigeria’s lending sector. Our onlending initiative isn’t just about providing capital. It’s about enabling a stronger and more inclusive financial ecosystem where every licensed lender, big or small, can thrive,” added Joy B. Bello, Head of Sales at Lendsqr.
Lendsqr’s onlending initiative is currently available exclusively to Nigerian lenders. Interested parties can learn more and apply at Lendsqr Capital Portal.
Qore has announced the successful approval to implement its indigenous core banking solution, BankOne, in Tanzania. This landmark achievement marks Qore’s debut implementation of BankOne in Tanzania, underscoring the company’s dedication to deploying disruptive fintech infrastructure that enhance financial inclusion, automate banking processes, and facilitate seamless payments.
The Tanzania Cooperative Development Commission (TCDC), which oversees over 2,500 Saccos, including several regional and national cooperatives, plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation and regulation of these entities. By collaborating closely with TCDC, Qore aims to empower Saccos to secure and grow their members’ funds with ease, while providing real-time, cloud-native banking experiences through BankOne. This collaboration is set to revolutionize the cooperative sector in Tanzania, driving financial inclusion and innovation at an unprecedented scale.
Qore’s solution is designed to support the unique needs of Saccos, offering features such as real-time transaction processing, comprehensive financial reporting, and robust security measures. By leveraging BankOne, Saccos will be able to streamline their operations, reduce costs, and enhance the overall member experience.
This implementation is a significant milestone for Qore as it continues its rapid international expansion. “The deployment of BankOne in Tanzania is a testament to our commitment to bringing innovative banking solutions to new markets,” said Timothy Ngao, Country Manager for Tanzania at Qore Technologies. “We are excited to support the financial growth and stability of cooperative societies in Tanzania, and we look forward to many more successful implementations in the region.”
The company is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation, supporting the development of sustainable and economically viable cooperative societies across Tanzania.
