Small African Nations Eye Indian Support via ISA

With only 70 per cent electrification in urban area and 15 per cent in rural areas, there were huge business opportunities for solar companies in Gambia, said Jainaba Jagne Gambian Ambassador.

In order to build up solar capacity to tackle climate change small African nations, which have or are yet to ratify the International Solar Alliance (ISA), are seeking India’s technical support.

During an expo in New Delhi Gambian Ambassador Jainaba Jagne said quoted PTI, “Ours is a small nation with a population of only 1.9 million. Now, when we say this, people often roll their eyes or laugh, but the fact is that there is huge opportunity for business in solar sector.”

“Though we have not ratified the ISA yet, we are seeking technical support from India through International Solar Alliance,”she added.

Jainaba was speaking at the Fourth Smart Cities India 2018 Expo, underway at the Pragati Maidan in New Delhi with support from the Indian government.

She said that with only 70 per cent electrification in urban area and 15 per cent in rural areas, there were huge business opportunities for solar companies in Gambia.

Meanwhile, Mauritius Embassy, Counsellor Investment and Trade, Seewaj Nundlall said quoted PTI, “Mauritius’ population is about 1,000 times smaller than India — you have 1.2 billion people, we have 1.2 million. Our peak power demand is 700 MW, of which 80 per cent comes from coal. Here in India and through the ISA, we are seeking expertise in terms of building capacity.”

Backed and conceptualised by India, the ISA has 121 prospective member-countries and territories. Of the 121 member-nations of ISA, 60 have signed the treaty while about 30 have ratified it.

Indian solar sector witnesses sharp momentum in the past four years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2014, when he took office, India had 3 GW of solar power, which now turned to nearly seven-times of that, or 20 GW, by the end of FY18.