Anticipated Surge in Solar Power Installations Across Africa by 2025 -

African countries maintained a strong momentum in solar power installations last year, and forecasts suggest that this sector will continue to grow in 2025, as detailed in a recent industry report.

The Global Solar Council estimated that the continent added 2,400 megawatts of solar generation capacity in 2024, which is a slight decrease from the prior year, blaming this on a reduction in installations in South Africa following a robust performance in 2023.

The industry advocacy group, in a report released on Wednesday, projected a 42% rise in new installations for 2025, partly due to the expected launch of several significant projects that were deferred in 2024.

“Africa is projected to cumulatively add 23 gigawatts of new solar capacity from 2025 to 2028, more than doubling its cumulative installed capacity from 2024 in just four years,” the report mentioned, emphasizing that fluctuations in fuel prices and elevated electricity costs make solar a practical choice for the region.

While South Africa and Egypt are the largest markets, West Africa has also witnessed notable growth, with Ghana nearly quadrupling its installations to 94 megawatts of solar energy. Burkina Faso saw its solar capacity increase by over 120% last year, reaching 87 megawatts, while Nigeria installed around 73 megawatts, according to the council.

“Many African nations are still facing electricity shortages and frequent power outages which are pushing businesses and households to turn to solar as a reliable alternative,” it noted.

Analysts also noted that former US President Donald Trump’s exit from climate initiatives, which included withdrawing from a major program designed to encourage the transition to green energy in countries like South Africa, will not hinder billions of dollars in ongoing climate projects.

However, the expansion of solar energy in Africa is being constrained by capital costs that are approximately seven times higher than those in developed countries. The GSC report indicated that Africa still attracts only 3% of global energy investment.

“Many projects are encountering challenges in securing funding due to high interest rates, currency fluctuations, and a lack of guarantees,” stated Léo Echard, policy officer at GSC and principal author of the report. “If we can reduce capital costs, Africa has the potential to become one of the fastest-growing solar markets globally.”

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