Africa is witnessing a significant solar boom as countries across the continent ramp up their investments in solar energy. A new report by the Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA) highlights the increasing shift towards solar power. The report — titled Africa Solar Outlook 2025 — outlines how rising fossil fuel costs and power shortages are driving this transformation.
Solar Boom Expands Beyond South Africa
South Africa has long been the dominant player in Africa’s solar industry. It remains the only country in the ‘GigaWatt Club’ due to its large-scale solar installations. However, the solar boom is now spreading beyond South Africa. The report shows new large-scale solar projects emerging in Egypt, Zambia, Nigeria, and Angola.
“In 2024, the lion’s share of solar in Africa remained highly concentrated,” said AFSIA CEO John van Zuylen. “2025 may see a major shift as several landmark projects begin construction in countries not traditionally seen as solar leaders.”
Egypt has made remarkable progress in solar energy adoption. The country moved up five places in 2024 to become the second-largest solar market in Africa. It accounted for 29% of the 2.5 gigawatt-peak (GWp) solar capacity installed across the continent.
The growth in Egypt’s solar sector comes as the country faces high natural gas import costs and declining domestic gas production. Two large-scale projects in the Kom Ombo region delivered 700 megawatt-peak (MWp) in 2024. This figure is close to South Africa’s 748 MWp from mega projects the same year.
Dubai-based AMEA Power commissioned a 500 MW solar plant in Aswan in December 2024. The $500 million project will generate 1,500 GWh of clean energy annually. AMEA has also announced plans for a second 1,000 MW power plant in Aswan. This new project will feature a 600 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) and will be the largest of its kind in Africa.
Massive Growth in Large-Scale Solar Projects
The solar boom in Africa is evident in the rapid expansion of large-scale projects. In 2024, large-scale solar accounted for 72% of all newly installed capacity, up from 32.4% in 2023. “The growth is even more striking when looking at absolute figures,” said the AFSIA report.
In 2023, Africa installed 521 MW of large-scale solar projects. By 2024, this number had surged to 1,783 MW, which represents an increase of almost 350%. South Africa’s share of the total installed solar capacity in Africa fell to 50% in 2024. This marks a decline compared to previous years, as other countries gain momentum in the solar boom.
Zambia has relied heavily on hydropower for decades, with 80% of its electricity coming from hydro sources. However, severe droughts in 2024 caused water levels at the Kariba Dam to drop sharply. This left only one of the country’s six turbines operational, thus forcing Zambia to shift to solar energy. The country installed 74.8 MW of solar power in 2024, making it the third-largest solar market in Africa. This was an improvement of eight positions compared to 2023.
The Zambian government has set a goal to generate 500 MW of solar power by 2025. This plan has spurred increased investment in solar infrastructure, driving further expansion. “2024 saw a real boom of solar in Zambia,” the AFSIA report noted.
Energy Shift Boosts Solar Adoption in Nigeria and Angola
Nigeria has also made significant progress in its solar energy sector. The country installed 63.5 MW of new solar capacity in 2024, moving up six places to become the fourth-largest solar market in Africa.
The rise in solar adoption is linked to the Nigerian government’s removal of fuel subsidies. This policy aimed to reduce corruption in the oil sector but led to higher electricity costs. Many Nigerians are now turning to solar energy as a cheaper alternative. "Nigeria starts feeling the positive impact of the fuel subsidy removal and an increased interest in solar-plus-storage as a more affordable option than diesel,” said AFSIA experts.
Angola has emerged as a fast-growing player in the solar boom by making the largest leap in the rankings. The country moved up 10 places to enter the top five solar markets in Africa. Angola’s solar growth was driven by two utility-scale projects, each delivering around 27 MW. These projects — which began two years ago — were completed in 2024.
Africa's solar boom is transforming its energy sector, with countries like Egypt, Zambia, Nigeria, and Angola rapidly expanding solar projects beyond South Africa. AFSIA’s report highlights growing private and public sector investments, with 40 GW of new solar projects announced in 2024 — a 21% increase from the previous year. This steady growth reflects a strong commitment to renewable energy and positions solar power as a key driver of Africa’s energy future.