Energy and infrastructure leader Leslie Nelson, who previously held senior roles at GE Angola, GE Ghana, GE Africa, and New Fortress Energy, is calling out five common myths that continue to mislead individuals, businesses, and communities about Africa's energy future. Drawing on more than 25 years of hands-on experience across finance and power projects, Nelson says these myths slow progress and distract from practical solutions that already work.
"When the lights go out multiple times per day, theory doesn't matter," Nelson said in a recent interview. "What matters is what actually keeps power on."
The first myth is that Africa lacks energy resources. Nelson points out that power shortages are common, leading many to assume resources are scarce. In reality, Africa has vast solar, wind, hydropower, and natural gas reserves. The issue is access and infrastructure, not supply. Sub-Saharan Africa receives some of the highest solar irradiation in the world. Indeed, Africa is long on natural gas and short on power. Gas to Power has the ability to close the power infrastructure gap in the region. Nelson advises people to learn which local resources are strongest where they live and support or explore small solar or mini-grid options for homes, schools, or shops.
The second myth is that reliable power must be expensive. Many rely on diesel generators, which cost more over time. Generators can cost 2–3 times more per unit of energy than grid or solar power. Replacing diesel with solar or gas can cut costs by 40% or more. Nelson recommends tracking monthly spend on fuel or generator maintenance and comparing it with prepaid power or shared solar options.
The third myth is that big national grids are the only answer. While large grids feel like the "proper" solution, mini-grids and off-grid systems already power millions. They are faster to deploy and cheaper for rural areas. Nelson suggests that those in rural or peri-urban areas look into community mini-grids or shared systems rather than waiting for a full grid extension. "It's not about building the biggest thing," Nelson notes. "It's about building the thing that works. Connecting these mini grids will be the secret sauce to success."
The fourth myth is that energy problems are mainly technical. Power discussions often focus on equipment and engineering, but human factors matter just as much. Training, maintenance, billing systems, and local buy-in determine success. Nelson advises supporting local training programmes or encouraging basic maintenance skills in communities to keep systems running. "I've seen good projects fail because no one was trained to develop them, finance them and run them," Nelson said. "People matter as much as machines."
The fifth myth is that individuals can't make a difference. Energy may feel like a government or corporate issue, but individual actions add up. Education, awareness, and small choices influence adoption and policy. Nelson encourages sharing reliable information, mentoring a student, or supporting a local energy or education initiative. "The lack of qualified Project Developers and early stage project financing continues to be a hindrance to progress," Nelson says.
According to the World Bank, over 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa still live without electricity, and unreliable power costs businesses an estimated $28 billion each year. Nelson emphasizes that Africa's energy challenge is not a lack of ideas or resources. It is about choosing practical solutions that fit local needs and acting on them now.
