Solar and Renewables
Top stories
Africa experience a surge in renewable adoption, especially with solar energy, in 2025. In this article, we highlight some of the top solar energy projects completed across the continent within the year.
Africa’s clean energy drive rose significantly in 2025. But next year signals a new wave of investment in renewable energy projects across the continent. Here are some to watch out for in 2026.
Northern Nigeria sits within one of the richest renewable energy belts in sub-Saharan Africa. Its vast arid landscape and abundant sunlight give the region a significant natural advantage. Yet in Nigeria’s energy transition story, the North remains a stark contradiction.
South Africa’s mining giant, Exxaro Resources, has signed binding agreements to acquire majority stakes in two fully operational renewable energy plants from Acciona Energía in a transaction valued at between 1.7 billion rand and 1.8 billion rand ($106 million).
Angola inaugurated its first solar‑plus‑storage minigrid, representing the start of a wider programme to expand reliable electricity to rural and underserved communities.
West African nation, Nigeria has, for the first time, imported more solar cells than finished solar panels, as local assembly of solar products continues to grow.
Cameroon’s President, Paul Biya, has secured a €55.4 million ($64.71 million) loan from Afreximbank to accelerate the country’s solar-based rural electrification programme.
West African country Ghana has announced a US$3.4 billion renewable energy action and investment plan designed to accelerate its transition to clean power.
Mozambique will require more than $80 billion to implement its long-term energy transition strategy through 2050, as the government expands off-grid electrification efforts to reach millions still without reliable power.
Switzerland Candi Solar has secured $58.5 million in debt financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), that will support the expansion of its commercial and industrial solar operations in South Africa and India.
A decade ago, many low-income households depended on small “I better pass my neighbour” generators to keep the lights on. Today, the trend is rooftop solar. Still, the deeper electricity crisis remains unresolved.
South Africa is expected to record a rise in rooftop solar uptake as 82% of households without systems plan to install solar within the next 12 months, according to findings from South Africa’s Largest Solar Survey.
Nigeria’s solar energy adoption is a story of policy mismatch, fragmented markets and individualistic approach. None of these can address the lingering crisis of electricity deficit in Africa’s most populous nation.
Like many African nations, Nigeria’s renewable energy sector still grapples with deep funding gaps. The friction between DFIs and local investors has never been more visible. This article examines that growing divide.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has warned that Africa’s slow shift to renewable energy threatens global climate goals and could derail efforts to meet the Paris Agreement targets.
The rise of solar manufacturing in Nigeria — what the first solar panel export to Ghana really means
Nigeria has reached a new achievement in its clean energy journey as the country begins exporting locally manufactured solar panels to Ghana.
Off-grid solar company Sun King has announced plans to establish manufacturing operations in Kenya and Nigeria as part of efforts to expand renewable energy access and boost local production across Africa.
Renewable energy firm Sola Group has begun commercial operations at the $163 million Springbok Solar Project in South Africa’s Free State province, marking the largest operational wheeling facility in the country.
Nigeria has achieved a major milestone in its renewable energy journey as the country begins exporting locally manufactured solar panels to Ghana.
Renewable energy adoption is growing rapidly in Nigeria, to the point where it could be described as a boom. This growth is no accident. It is being driven by government policies, market dynamics, and a shift in customer attitudes.