COAL offers the lifeline so many African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) need.

Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Uganda all possess significant coal reserves and the shift to coal-fired power generation can not only help reduce the dependence on imported fuels but create a more predictable electricity cost structure for local businesses. Nigeria holds 9.8 billion cu m of coal reserves, Zimbabwe is home to 502 million cu m, Botswana has 1.6 billion cu m and Uganda possesses 800 billion cu m.

"When African businesses are being crushed by imported fuel costs, using domestic coal to keep factories running and SMEs alive is not a step backward, it is a rational act of economic self-defense," states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.