Prime Highlights:
- Africa is emerging as a major hub for solar energy, with growth driven by affordable costs and strong agricultural demand.
- The Africa Solar Facility and other initiatives are attracting investment and helping expand solar projects across the continent.
Key Facts:
- Solar energy is now 90% cheaper than ten years ago and requires less land, making it the most cost-effective option for many countries.
- Africa currently holds 60% of the world’s solar resources but receives only about 1% of global solar investment.
Background:
Africa is emerging as the world’s next major destination for large-scale solar expansion, even as China continues to dominate global solar manufacturing, according to the International Solar Alliance (ISA). The continent is rapidly adopting solar power not only to replace fossil-fuel-based electricity generation but also to bring stable, reliable energy to underserved communities.
ISA Director General Ashish Khanna described the moment as a pivotal one for the global solar sector. “It took twenty-five years to reach 1,000 GW of solar capacity, and that figure doubled in just the past two years,” he told Earth.Org. “But the journey is far from over. We expect the global total of 2,000 GW to climb to 4,000 GW within the next four years.”
While the Asia-Pacific region, led by China, continues to account for nearly 70% of global solar demand, ISA expects Africa to drive the next wave of installations. The shift is being accelerated by sharply falling costs. Khanna said that solar energy is now 90% cheaper than ten years ago and needs less land, making it the cheapest option for many countries.
Solar is growing fast in agriculture, especially in remote areas without reliable electricity. But expanding solar in Africa still faces problems like funding, storage, and power transmission.
To help, ISA started the Africa Solar Facility, a $200 million fund (with $74 million already available) to reduce financial risks and attract more investment for solar projects. Nigeria has taken a notable lead in regional financing, unveiling a $500 million Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) Fund in March to support mini-grids, solar home systems, commercial and industrial projects, and next-generation storage technologies.
ISA is also modernizing procurement and skills development. A centralized e-procurement system now provides small island and developing nations with stronger collective purchasing power. Meanwhile, training centers of excellence, including a major hub in India, are equipping professionals from 17 countries with technical and regulatory knowledge. Khanna said that everyone, from a technician in Malawi to a student in Brazil, should be able to access the latest information easily.
With vast untapped resources, rising investment momentum, and advances in digital energy management, Africa is positioning itself to become a key pillar of global solar growth in the years ahead.
