| Title | Promoting Economic Potential of Geothermal Direct Uses as a Catalyst for Attracting Investment in Geothermal Exploitation in Africa |
|---|---|
| Authors | African Rift that cuts the continent from North to South, presents a source of heat for geothermal |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | Africa is endowed with vast geothermal resources because of existence of the great East African Rift System that cuts through the continent from north to south and presents a source for geothermal resources. Studies have estimated that the geothermal resource potential in Kenya alone is about 10,000MW of electric energy and much higher in direct use potential. Kenya has tapped over 985 MWe of geothermal electrical energy and is currently ranked at position six globally in geothermal electricity generation. Other African countries that have started exploration of their geothermal resources include Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan, Zambia, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania. Other African countries are also utilizing geothermal resources for various direct uses like Greenhouse heating and cooling, Spa bathing and heating, crop drying and water harvesting among many This paper discusses the opportunities for direct uses of geothermal resources in Africa and their economic potential if utilized. The paper demonstrates the vast direct use opportunities of geothermal resources in Africa and the economic potential of the direct use potential. The paper shows how promoting the direct use potential can help to catalyze investment in geothermal development in the continent. The paper showcases the vast economic potential of direct use opportunities such as farm produce drying and dehydration, Industrial heating applications, Recreation and tourism including Spa, balneology and production of hot water using geothermal heat. |