With the breakdown in relations with Russia endangering gas supplies, the West should rethink its policy on embargoing development finance for gas deposits in Africa. Continue reading The West needs to think again on African gas
Imad Ahmed has written a fascinating and meticulously researched book on Zambia, which details the various challenges posed by hydroelectric power. This book is a must-read for all interested in Zambia and energy policy in the developing world. Continue reading The Political Economy of Hydropower Dependant Nations – A Case Study of Zambia
5th November, 2019 on ZNBC following my keynote presentation at a public discussion programme organised by the International Growth Centre on Nurturing the Manufacturing Sector: Ensuring Strong Roots for Zambian Growth Continue reading On Zambia’s main news channel
Dawn | October 7, 2018 Imaduddin Ahmed WHEN considering investment in an infrastructure project, responsible investors or donors would ask: what is the need? What are the financial, social and environmental costs? What are the risks and the unknowns? Is the project likely to yield higher costs than benefits? Is the project the best option to address the need? Pakistan’s judiciary and government have called upon Pakistanis to invest in the Diamer-Basha and Mohmand Dam Fund, and yet they have insufficiently addressed these questions. The Supreme Court’s online appeal is not accompanied by a feasibility study. From the outside looking … Continue reading Seismic costs
18 December 2017 | Bartlett News Bartlett School of Construction and Project Management PhD Candidate Imad Ahmed reports on a talk from Mr Farrukh Khan of Acumen. Following dinner in the Great Hall of Goodenough College, Acumen’s Chief Business Development Officer … Continue reading Acumen share pioneering investment philosophy with Bartlett PhD students
Financial Times | 31 July, 2017 Innovative solutions bring the prospect of accessible water to the isolated poor By Imaduddin Ahmed Fifty-one million people lack access to safe water in the core East African Community member states of Tanzania, … Continue reading After off-grid electricity, what chance off-grid water?
Financial Times | 27 March, 2017 Solar systems help Rwanda government switch from provider to regulator of electricity by Imaduddin Ahmed Mobile phones were the “leapfrog” … Continue reading Leapfrogging into the light
An Indo-Pak friendship born in the United States underlines the shared value of women’s empowerment Aman ki Asha | Dec 2, 2015 Imaduddin Ahmed Sightings of women driving pink rickshaws around Lahore have seized global media attention about the initiative to enfranchise women, those seeking to supplement their livelihood as well as those seeking safe passage. I first heard about the Pink Rickshaw being voiced as a concept some time back at the work desk of my ever-active khala (mother’s sister), Zar Aslam, when I was on a visit from Rwanda to see family in Lahore. That’s when I learnt … Continue reading A cross-border friendship puts women in the driving seat
and how they can be mitigated. Compiled by a PPP transactions advisor to Rwanda (me). Barriers to private investment in African infrastructure: Country political risk – Eg. medium or high likelihood of terrorist attacks, war, corruption, riots, strikes Risk of expropriation Payment risk Insolvency for state off-takers such as state utilities Inflation/currency depreciation Currency convertibility Risk mitigants and Rwanda’s experience: Country political risk – Solution: State to improve security internally by having a strong law enforcement agency and also by pursuing sustainable and fair domestic and foreign policy – Rwanda surveyed as the African country where citizens feel most safe according … Continue reading African (frontier market) risks associated with PPP infrastructure
Businesses: – The business model is scalable – There is a compelling case that there is large latent/unmet demand for the product/service – Competition is underperforming/non-existing and barriers to entry are high – Competition for financing a given firm is low (don’t want to enter a bidding war) – Strong personal relationships with management – Strong balance sheets for financial institutions (diligence their Accounts Receivable and recovery rates) – Strong Debt Service Coverage Ratios for mature businesses Economies: – Rapid growth in the urban middle class – rapid demand growth from the latent baseline – Large domestic market – Rule … Continue reading Stories private equity is looking for in Africa
energy and a just transition 