Africa saw record growth of 54% in its solar installations in 2025, with 4.5 GW of new capacity deployed, marking a turning point in the continent’s energy transition.
A Historic Year for African Solar
The Global Solar Council (GSC) report, published in early February 2026 in Nairobi during Intersolar Africa, confirms that 2025 was the best year ever recorded for African photovoltaics.
This acceleration is based on a dual dynamic: large grid-connected power plants (56% of new installations) and a booming distributed solar sector (rooftops, businesses, and off-grid systems representing 44%).
South Africa leads with 1.6 GW, followed by Nigeria (803 MW), Egypt (500 MW), and Algeria (400 MW), but eight countries have surpassed 100 MW of installed capacity, compared to four in 2024.
Solar leaders and new entrants
- South Africa: 1.6 GW
- Nigeria: 803 MW
- Egypt: 500 MW
- Algeria: 400 MW
- Morocco: 204 MW
- Zambia/Tunisia/Botswana: 120 MW each
This geographical diversification strengthens continental resilience to local political or financial uncertainties.
Two parallel solar transitions
Imports of solar modules exploded to 18.2 GW in 2025, exceeding the needs of large projects (14.3 GW projected for 2026-2027), a sign of decentralized solar power becoming increasingly self-sustaining.
- Major projects: financed by governments and donors (AfDB, EU), for industrialization and structured rural electrification.
- Distributed solar: businesses and households are opting for self-consumption in the face of recurring blackouts, coupled with storage (batteries).
Despite $40 billion in private investment by 2024, 82% of the funds remain public and ill-suited to decentralized systems, hindering the potential.
Prospects: a sixfold increase by 2029?
The GSC forecasts more than 33 GW installed by 2029 (CAGR 21%), driven by the continent’s record sunshine (60% of the world’s best solar spots).
- Priority challenges: financing in local currency, strengthening grids, technical training, and reforms for energy storage.
- For Africa, solar power is no longer a green option: it is a vital economic lever to multiply energy demand by 8 by 2050, create jobs and secure growth.
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