The Energy Transition May Be Africa’s Route To Influence

Photovoltaic panels in Kathu, South Africa.

Photographer: Waldo Swiegers

Welcome to Next Africa, a twice-weekly newsletter on where the continent stands now — and where it’s headed.

With the battle for influence in Africa depicted as a contest between the US and China, other industrialized powers, that have long neglected the continent, are scrambling to make their voices heard.