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Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its energy journey. Despite being home to some of the sunniest regions in the world, the continent accounts for less than 1% of the global installed solar electricity capacity. This stark contrast emerges in the context of a solar revolution transforming the global energy landscape.

In 2004, it took an entire year for the world to install a single gigawatt (GWp) of solar power capacity. By 2010, the same milestone was reached in a month. By 2016, it took just a week, and today, individual days can witness over a gigawatt of installations worldwide.

As Rob Carlons aptly states, “The sun has won the energy generation race,” emerging as the most affordable and sustainable electricity source. Yet, Africa lags far behind regions like Asia, which accounts for over 50% of the world’s solar capacity.

I am to delve into the reasons for Africa’s slower adoption of solar energy power systems, examine the underlying challenges, and explore actionable solutions to harness the continent’s vast solar potential. I also highlight the critical role humanitarians can play in accelerating this transformation and shaping a distributed solar energy future for Africa.

3 Barriers to African Solar Power Growth

According to the AFSIA Annual Solar Outlook 2024 report, 2022 saw Africa install 3.1 GWp of solar capacity—a staggering 180% year-over-year growth. In 2023, the continent set a new record with 3.7 GWp of installed capacity.

While these figures represent significant progress, they still account for less than 1% of the world’s total installed solar capacity. This paradox becomes even more puzzling when considering Africa’s unparalleled solar exposure.

1. Skepticism and Misconceptions

Many Africans remain skeptical about solar energy as a renewable electricity source, a doubt rooted in past experiences with unreliable technology. Early solar systems often relied on inefficient lead-acid or gel batteries that failed prematurely, causing significant financial losses for users.

Additionally, these systems required dedicated 12- or 24-volt circuits, limiting compatibility with standard electrical appliances. Compounding the issue, the market saw an influx of cheaply manufactured equipment that underperformed or had short lifespans, further eroding trust.

These challenges left many households and businesses disillusioned, fostering a lasting perception that solar energy is unreliable power and not worth the investment.

2. National Utility Resistance

Africa’s national utilities are under immense pressure to meet surging energy demands, but many struggle with financial instability and frequent electricity blackouts. Nations like Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire, which export power to neighbors, often lack sufficient electricity for their own needs.

Globally, solar growth is largely government-driven, with large-scale projects increasing energy supply at low costs. In Africa, however, over 65% of new solar capacity comes from commercial and industrial projects, driven by private-sector economics rather than public initiatives.

While this highlights a different growth trajectory, it also reveals an opportunity for governments to take a more active role in coordinating solar expansion.

3. Financing Challenges

Solar installations in Africa are predominantly self-funded. While some banks, like Ecobank, offer loans for solar projects, these loans often come with high interest rates and short repayment terms, making them inaccessible to many.

There are many pay-as-you-go retail solar power systems, yet, affordable financing tailored to solar systems remains a significant gap. This is an opportunity for donor-driven development options.

3 Opportunities for Solar Electricity Growth

Frequent power outages across Africa have made diesel generators essential for businesses and medium-sized homes, enabling operations in areas with unreliable grid electricity. However, their long-term costs—covering purchase, fuel, and maintenance—are increasingly unsustainable.

1. Economic Case for Solar Power

With the rapid decline in solar and battery costs, off-grid solar systems now offer a more affordable and sustainable alternative. In many cases, the total cost of owning a diesel generator has equaled or surpassed solar solutions, presenting a significant opportunity for businesses and households to transition to cleaner, cost-effective energy systems.

2. Distributed Energy Systems

Africa’s energy future lies in distributed systems, where businesses and households generate their own power through solar installations. This model reduces reliance on fragile national grids and empowers communities. The Economist highlighted the trend that solar energy sources keep getting cheaper and cheaper in Sub Saharan Africa, noting the shift toward self-sufficiency as a solution to energy crises.

3. Training, Taxes, and Quality Equipment

Advances in solar technology, such as smart batteries and connected inverters, have significantly improved system reliability and efficiency. Connected inverters, in particular, offer advanced monitoring capabilities, allowing installers to provide timely support and address potential issues before they escalate.

To maximize these benefits, it is crucial to train local installers and educate consumers on selecting high-quality solar power equipment. Poor-quality imports have historically eroded trust in solar solutions. Reducing or eliminating import taxes on solar equipment could also make reliable, advanced technology more accessible, accelerating adoption across the continent and fostering a more sustainable energy future.

The Role of Humanitarian Actors

I believe that we, as humanitarian actors, have a unique role in bridging the energy gap. By partnering with governments, businesses, and communities, we can:

• Facilitate training programs for local installers to deploy sustainable systems.
• Advocate for favorable policies and subsidies to make solar systems more accessible.
• Collaborate with financial institutions to develop affordable loan schemes tailored to solar adoption.

Additionally, humanitarian organizations can play a critical role in communication campaigns to dispel myths about solar energy and highlight its advancements. This can shift the collective mindset from skepticism to enthusiasm and upend traditional, centralized utility models.

The evolution of the national grid into a platform for energy trading could amplify this shift. I want to see homeowners and businesses with surplus energy from solar systems selling it back to the grid, creating a dynamic and interconnected energy ecosystem.

A Future of Electrically Powered Transportation

A cleaner future is becoming increasingly accessible as electric vehicles (EVs) reshape the energy landscape.

EVs offer unparalleled efficiency, delivering energy at less than a tenth of the cost of fueling traditional vehicles. On average, an EV with a 40 kWh capacity can travel 350 to 400 kilometers for just $7 to $10 in electricity cost, depending on the African country. In contrast, a full tank of gasoline for the same distance can cost between $60 and $80. When will this shift toward renewable energy and cleaner transportation happen on the Continent?

African countries are not yet fully equipped to embrace this revolution. By adopting progressive policies, increasing investments, and fostering grassroots efforts, the continent can fast-track its transition to a sustainable, solar-powered future.

Together, we can light up Africa and unlock its vast potential, ensuring the continent thrives in the global clean energy era. Let’s work together to make this vision a reality.

By Sewa Agbodjan a systems analyst from Togo