- Africa added 54 percent more solar capacity in 2025 than in 2024, marking the fastest year of deployment on record.
- Distributed solar systems now account for nearly half of new installations, highlighting a structural shift in market dynamics.
- By 2029, Africa could install more than 33 gigawatts of solar capacity as both utility-scale and privately financed distributed projects expand.
Africa’s solar and storage market is scaling rapidly, with growth spreading beyond traditional early adopter countries, according to the Africa Market Outlook 2026–2029 published today by the Global Solar Council and supported by Octopus Energy and GET.invest.
The report shows that 2025 was a record-breaking year for solar deployment on the continent, with installations rising sharply year-on-year. Eight countries installed more than 100 megawatts of solar, up from just four in 2024, signalling that solar growth is no longer concentrated in a few markets but expanding across multiple regions.
While utility-scale projects continue to dominate reported installations, nearly 44 percent of new capacity now comes from distributed solar, including rooftop, commercial and captive systems. This reflects a growing structural shift in investment patterns and project models that is not fully captured in official statistics.
The report highlights two parallel pathways driving Africa’s solar expansion. Government-led utility-scale projects are scaling under national policy frameworks, while privately financed distributed projects are growing rapidly, supported by emerging financing models and trade trends. Both segments are expected to continue driving growth through the end of the decade.
Looking ahead, the Africa Market Outlook forecasts that the continent could install more than 33 gigawatts of solar capacity by 2029, more than six times the annual deployment recorded in 2025. The combination of utility-scale and distributed systems, coupled with the rising integration of storage solutions, positions Africa’s solar market for continued rapid expansion and diversification.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
