• Solar installations rose 54% in 2025, reaching about 4.5 GW

• South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, and Algeria led new capacity additions

• Africa could exceed 31.5 GW of installed solar capacity by 2029

Africa sharply accelerated its deployment of solar power in 2025, driven by stronger economic growth and rising demand for reliable electricity, according to the Africa Market Outlook for Solar PV 2026–2029, published this month by the Global Solar Council.

The continent added around 4.5 GW of new solar photovoltaic capacity in 2025, a 54% increase year on year. This expansion took place as Africa’s economy grew by about 3.9% over the year, with more than 20 countries posting growth rates above 5%, reinforcing pressure on electricity systems.

New capacity additions remained highly concentrated. The ten largest markets accounted for nearly 90% of installations. South Africa led with 1.6 GW, followed by Nigeria with 803 MW, Egypt with 500 MW, and Algeria with 400 MW.

Several mid-sized markets also recorded notable gains. Morocco added 204 MW, Zambia 139 MW, Tunisia and Botswana 120 MW each, Ghana 92 MW, and Chad 86 MW. In total, eight countries exceeded 100 MW of new solar capacity in 2025, up from four the previous year, highlighting a gradual broadening of deployment beyond the largest markets.

Looking ahead, the Global Solar Council estimates that Africa could install more than 31.5 GW of cumulative solar capacity by 2029. Growth is expected to come from both grid-connected projects and decentralized solutions, reflecting the diversity of power needs across the continent.

The report cautions, however, that momentum remains constrained by structural challenges, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Annual investment in the region’s energy sector stands at about $8 billion, well below the roughly $20 billion required to meet Sustainable Development Goal 7 on universal access to energy. High capital costs, currency volatility, weak financial positions of state-owned utilities, and congestion in transmission and distribution networks continue to limit large-scale solar deployment and integration.

To address these barriers, the Global Solar Council calls for measures to lower the cost of capital through stable regulatory frameworks, streamline permitting processes, improve transparency in grid planning, develop national energy storage strategies, and strengthen local skills and industrial value chains. These steps are seen as essential to supporting broader and more sustainable solar growth.

The stakes remain high. The World Bank estimates that around 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity. With some of the world’s strongest solar resources, the continent is expected to rely heavily on solar power to close this gap and expand energy access.

Abdoullah Diop