Africa is experiencing a rapid surge in solar energy adoption, with installed capacity now exceeding 20 gigawatts (GW) across the continent, according to the Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA). The Rwanda-based industry group says another 10 GW of projects are already under construction, underscoring Africa’s growing position in the global renewable energy market. AFSIA’s latest database update, covering the first half of 2025, tracked nearly 40,000 solar projects across all segments, from utility-scale plants to residential systems. South Africa leads the way, accounting for about half of all solar capacity installed on the continent. Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia also rank among the top solar nations in Africa.
“Southern Africa continues to dominate new capacity,” AFSIA noted in its August 11 report. “Countries such as Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia rolled out significant solar installations in 2025 alone.” While solar growth has slowed in Europe and the U.S., Africa has been on a steep upward path. AFSIA figures show new installations rose 44% in 2024, building on a 22% increase in 2023.
A Continent with Huge Potential
Africa’s momentum is being fuelled by falling solar costs and the continent’s abundant sunshine. Most regions receive more than 3,000 hours of sunlight annually, with daily solar radiation averaging 20–24 megajoules per square meter, some of the best conditions in the world.
Yet, about 600 million Africans — 53% of the population — remain without electricity, according to UNCTAD. This makes solar power a vital solution to bridge the energy access gap. South Africa’s experience highlights solar’s transformative impact. Reeling from severe power cuts since 2008, the country ramped up solar investments from 2022, adding about 3,000 MW per year. By mid-2024, the worst of its electricity crisis had eased, thanks largely to solar adoption.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects solar could supply 15% of Africa’s electricity by 2030, potentially doubling to 30% by 2040.
Challenges Remain
Despite progress, experts warn that high upfront costs and weak storage technology limit broader adoption. Some governments are stepping in with incentives. Zimbabwe scrapped import duties on solar products, while South Africa introduced a 25% rebate for households installing solar.
Local Impact Stories
Beyond utility-scale plants, community projects are changing lives. In Malawi’s Kasakula community, nearly 9,000 rural households will gain universal solar power access by August 26 through SolarAid’s award-winning Energy-as-a-Service model.
Meanwhile, Algeria is moving forward with a massive 3 GW solar program across 20 projects, after years of inactivity. Several of these projects are expected to be completed before the end of 2025.
