DAR ES SALAAM, July 3 -- AS Africa continues to grapple with one of the worlds biggest energy gaps, the continent faces a defining challenge: how to expand electricity access fast enough to support economic growth while also building a cleaner and more resilient energy future.

According to international energy estimates, hundreds of millions of people across Africa still lack reliable access to electricity, while rapid urbanization, industrial expansion and population growth continue to push energy demand higher each year.

Against this backdrop, governments, investors and private energy developers are increasingly turning toward large-scale renewable energy projects as a practical pathway to improve energy security, attract investment a...