Books

Electric Capitalism: Recolonizing Africa on the Power Grid

Author:

David A. McDonald ed

Year:

2008

Publisher:

Earthscan, London

Number of pages:

528

Available languages:

ISBN:

978-1-84407-714-1

Available Formats:

PDF (EN)

Order the book (EN)

Media:

Watch an interview on this book.

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Abstract

There are enormous inequalities in electricity access in Africa, with industry receiving abundant supplies of cheap power whereas the overwhelming majority of its populations remain off the power grid. This book provides an innovative theoretical framework for understanding electricity and capitalism on the continent, followed by a series of case studies that examine different aspects of electricity supply and consumption. Africa is experiencing a renewed scramble for its electricity resources, conjuring up images of a recolonization of the continent along the power grid.