To counter China’s Belt & Road project, India leverages ISA to light up Africa

NEW DELHI: India will leverage its solar power credentials to reclaim lost ground in Africa, with state-run NTPC Ltd planning to help International Solar Alliance’ (ISA) member countries—Gambia and Malawi—develop solar power parks to meet electricity demand, said two people aware of the development.

After landing the project management consultancy contracts for developing solar parks in Mali and Togo, India’s largest power generation utility is also eyeing similar opportunities in other ISA member countries from Africa— Sudan, Mozambique, Egypt, Uganda, Rwanda and Niger.

This comes in the backdrop of China’s attempt to co-opt countries into its ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative.