The Kawi popular science series on Renewable Energy is a unique collection of children’s books which educates the reader on the various forms of energy. The books present scientific explanation of how natural elements can be exploited in order to increase energy supply in Africa. The series comprises of six books and focuses on solar energy, hydropower, wind, biogas and wood fuel.

Authors from different regions in Africa were commissioned to develop an interesting set of books, which expose the vastness and abundance of Africa’s natural resources. They provide ample African cultural and traditional examples which have sustained the continent’s energy needs and application for years. A wide range of activities, exercises drawn from African experiences have been used to make the series lively and relevant to young African readers.

Book 6 on Renewable Energy: Challenges discusses the energy deficit in Africa. Only 20% of Africans have access to reliable modem supplies of energy. Yet Africa is well endowed with natural resources that can be tapped to meet the energy demand. The book has suggested ways of increasing supply on the continent through well-presented project ideas, which can be implemented at regional, national and community levels.

The authors: Armerley Anerkal Ollonnu is a research consultant while Daniel Mensah Brande is a producer/writer with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.

Titles in the Kawi Renewable Energy series include:

• Book 1 Renewable Energy – Sources
• Book 2 Renewable Energy – Uses
• Book 3 Renewable Energy – Conservation
• Book 4 Renewable Energy – Conversion
• Book 5 Renewable Energy – Storage
• Book 6 Renewable Energy – Challenges for Africa

The Kawi series is the product of a project implemented jointly by UNESCO and the African Publishers’ Network with support from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the Canadian International Development Agency.