Solar Journey of Africa: 2024 in Review and the Road Ahead

Africa is the continent with the world’s largest solar energy potential and investment is the only thing that’s keeping Africa from powering its development using this potential. The solar growth in Africa remained modest in 2024 in the face of structural challenges such as limited financing, regulatory barriers and infrastructure constraints which still impede the continent’s ability to fully unlock its solar potential.

Looking Back at 2024

In 2024, the continent added just 2.5 GW of solar capacity and reached a cumulative capacity of 19.2 GW. Despite being a hotspot for solar, the continent still accounts for just 0.5 percent of the world’s newly installed solar capacity, highlighting the persistent challenges and untapped potential. 

Annual Solar Contribution: Countrywise

Countries such as South Africa, Senegal, Malawi, Botswana, Tanzania, Namibia, and Mauritius are pursuing large-scale storage initiatives with a combined capacity exceeding 500 MW. Most of the new power in Africa came from large scale solar projects accounting for over 1780 MW, that is over 71 percent, of the total installation. The dominance of utility-scale projects last year, contrasting with the previous two years when the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment led growth, is largely due to the market evolution in South Africa.

 

Out of roughly 2476 MW installed in the whole of Africa, South Africa led with over 1235 MW of solar power, about 50 percent of the continent’s total, last year. Notably, the southernmost country of Africa is the only country in Gigawatt club of installed solar capacity in the last year. 

The second-place Egypt is much below with a little over 700 MW installed capacity. Notably, none other country had even crossed 100 MW of solar installation. Zambia, Nigeria, Angola and Burkina Faso followed. Nigeria climbed 12 spots in solar rankings, but constrained by weak grid infrastructure, focused heavily on decentralised solutions such as mini-grids and C&I solar.

 

Angola re-entered the top 5 completing its utility scale projects with MCA and Sun Africa started 2 years ago with 2 projects of 27 MW each. Most other countries in the continent, like Rwanda, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Malawi, still have non-existing solar deployment. 

Energy Mix

In 2024, 21 African countries generated at least 5 percent of their electricity from solar, with seven countries surpassing the 10 per cent mark. The Central African Republic (CAR) stood out with over 40 per cent of its electricity coming from solar, underscoring its transformative potential in regions with low electrification rates.

Other countries, such as Mauritania (20.7 percent) and Namibia (13.4 percent), demonstrated the lasting impact of past solar investments, maintaining high solar penetration levels despite limited new installations in 2024. Somalia (11.6 percent), Malawi (11.4 percent), Gambia (10.6 percent), and Cape Verde (10.5 percent) are the other nations leading in solar mix. 

The Gambia and Djibouti made the most significant leap, rising 30 positions as new solar projects came online, illustrating the rapid advancements achievable with focused efforts.

C&I solar projects continued to play a critical role in driving solar adoption across Africa. In 2024, the rolling pipeline for C&I projects grew by 15 per cent, reflecting sustained demand from businesses seeking cost-effective and reliable energy solutions.

At the same time, large-scale solar projects made a notable comeback, with an 81 GW pipeline under development across the continent. 

Solar Future

While the growth was not substantial for the year, the recent developments indicate a promising future for solar power across the region. For example, Zambia has experienced severe load shedding, prompting an urgent shift to solar power. This year’s solar adoption is likely just the beginning, with significant growth expected over the next two years. In South Africa, European Investment Bank (EIB) and Development Bank of Southern Africa granted €600 million to private RE sector.

As per Africa Solar Industry Association’s (AFSIA) Africa Solar Outlook 2025 report, about 40 GW worth of new solar projects were announced during the year, which represents a 21 percent increase from 2023, highlighting a much needed commitment from governments and private investors to accelerate solar deployment on the continent. 

The increasing number of solar projects has also led to a wider geographic distribution. By the end of 2024, solar installations exceeding 1 MW were present in 29 African countries, reflecting a broader adoption of solar energy across the continent.

Furthermore, the resurgence of large scale solar is expected to attract substantial foreign investment and contribute significantly to meeting Africa’s growing energy demands.

Uneven Distribution

The solar growth is largely eccentric with the majority of new solar projects largely concentrated in South Africa and Egypt, which together accounted for 78 percent of Africa’s added capacity in 2024. Other nations like Zambia and Nigeria are seeing significant growth too, but the majority of the continent is lacking a robust growth of the sector.

This uneven growth highlights the challenges many other African nations are facing in creating conducive environments for solar investment. South Africa’s dominance in solar installations can be attributed to its relatively advanced regulatory frameworks and the maturity of its commercial and industrial (C&I) market. 

Similarly, Egypt also emerged as a leader in solar development. Yet, most other African nations are struggling to attract investment even with vast solar potential. This is mostly due to regulatory inefficiencies and financing barriers. These challenges are needed to be overcome so as to ensure even distribution of solar in Africa.

With several landmark projects having started construction in hitherto trailing countries in the race of solar leaders in Africa, 2025 may see a major shift in the distribution of solar.  

Notable Projects in 2024

The year 2024 witnessed the launch or progress of several notable solar projects in Africa. 

The Kom Ombo Solar Plant in Egypt saw the commissioning of two large-scale projects totaling 700 MW, reinforcing Egypt’s commitment to expanding its solar capacity. 

In Senegal, the Lolda Solar Farm added 60 MW of solar energy, coupled with 72 MWh of storage, signaling a move towards integrated solar-plus-storage solutions. Similarly, The Gambia’s Soma Solar Project introduced 100 MW of solar power with 130 MWh of storage, contributing to the region’s renewable energy mix

A significant milestone in Egypt was the Masdar & Infinity Power Project, which delivered 900 MW of solar energy along with 720 MWh of storage, making it one of the country’s largest solar ventures to date.

In South Africa, the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP) is driving battery storage integration, with 513 MW of storage projects currently under development. This initiative aims to enhance grid stability and improve energy reliability amid ongoing power challenges.

Challenges to Overcome

Financing remained a major challenge for solar expansion in Africa. Solar projects struggled to secure adequate funding, especially large-scale solar farms. Limited access to affordable capital slowed down solar development in 2024 in Africa, preventing many countries from expanding solar capacity.

Regulatory barriers also hinder the sector’s growth. Complex and inconsistent policies across African nations make it difficult for investors and developers to procure the required approvals. Lack of clear frameworks continues to discourage private-sector involvement, delaying the deployment of new solar infrastructure.

Furthermore, grid infrastructure was still a weak point in many African countries. Existing power transmission networks are not equipped to handle large amounts of intermittent solar energy, leading to significant energy losses and underutilization of installed capacity. Upgrading transmission and distribution networks is essential for integrating new solar projects effectively.

Into 2025

As Africa moves into 2025, the solar sector must shift from potential to execution. The increasing momentum of solar projects, coupled with advancing storage technology and regional energy market integration, sets the stage for transformative growth. However, to sustain this progress, continued investments, improved regulations, and enhanced infrastructure are essential. If these challenges are addressed, 2025 could mark the beginning of a new era for solar energy in Africa, bringing the continent closer to its renewable energy ambitions.