In coming months, Indian power companies and electrical equipment manufacturers can look forward to greater participation in Africa's power industry.

"Greater engagement with a globalised economy is energising the African power generation industry. Rising economic growth in the region will allow the power generation industry to achieve sustained turbines capacity addition," a recent study by Frost & Sullivan, the global growth consulting company, says. "Notwithstanding the several risks involved in operating in Africa, the power generation industry will continue to grow, especially in Nigeria, South Africa and some countries of north, central and east Africa."

The forecast can only mean one thing for Indian companies: heightened interest in Africa's largely underdeveloped power sector. Already, Indian power companies and electrical equipment manufacturers have been executing a number projects in Africa, with support of Exim-Bank of India. For instance, in 2005-06, the EXIM Bank extended 20 Lines of Credit (LOCs) aggregating $836 million to support export of projects, goods and services from India and a large part of this went to Africa; to countries like Senegal, Niger, Sudan, Congo, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Gambia and Ivory Coast.

Some of the major turnkey contracts secured during the year in the power sector included the 500-mw steam-based power plant in Sudan; high voltage transmission line projects in Algeria, Ethiopia and Libya; and a distribution network project in Ethiopia.

According to Frost & Sullivan, current supply levels are incapable of meeting the ever-increasing demand for electricity. As a result, African countries are seeking to expand the installed capacity of their power plants. The presence of large proven reserves of fossil-fuels and natural gas will complement the growth of conventional power plants, particularly that of steam and gas turbine power plants.

"Owing to the sudden impetus in economic growth caused by various factors and the growing population, the demand for electricity has been increasing at a rapid pace," says Frost & Sullivan Research Manager Harald Thaler. "In order to meet these escalating demands, a considerable amount of capacity needs to be installed throughout the continent, thus providing a boost to the African power generation market."

Considering the vast opportunities apparent in the long term, market participants will need to view growth opportunities in a pan-regional rather than a country-specific manner. Enhanced external support in terms of funding mechanisms and trade are expected to rise due to the ongoing developmental phase, thereby cementing the basic fundamentals needed for the turbines market to move ahead, the study observes.

Frost & Sullivan, however, sounds a note of caution: Political instability and the lack of security will cause serious concerns to foreign participants entering the African markets. Such volatility might deter prospective entrants despite the exciting opportunities that exist in the region. "Although the political situation may be reasonably favourable in some countries, the numerous risks associated with doing business in Africa, especially the lack of security for equipment and people, is seen as a key challenge," notes Thaler. "Due to this reason, foreign investors and multinational companies are wary of entering the African market."