Africa’s renewable energy sector is experiencing rapid growth, with solar power leading the continent’s green transition. According to Georg Pflomm, project manager at the Competence Center for Energy, Environment and Sustainable Economy of AHK Services Eastern Africa Limited, the widespread adoption of affordable, high-quality solar products from China has been a key driver of this surge.
“In recent years, many of the global players in the solar sector are based in China. There are also many companies producing very good components,” Pflomm said during a briefing in Nairobi, Kenya. “China remains a strategic player in the global solar solutions value chain, benefiting African countries in their quest to boost green energy installations on national grids.”
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African countries added a total of 2.4 gigawatts (GW) of new solar capacity in 2024, with growth projected to reach 42% in 2025. Pflomm highlighted that the continent’s total installed solar capacity is now around 20 GW. By 2028, an additional 23 GW is expected to come online, effectively more than doubling Africa’s solar footprint within the next few years.
The expansion is not limited to a single region. South Africa and Egypt continue to lead the continent in solar installations, while East African nations such as Kenya are catching up quickly. These markets are being driven by a combination of government incentives, declining costs of solar panels and battery storage, and growing demand from commercial, industrial, and residential users seeking reliable and sustainable power.
Chinese-manufactured solar products have played a particularly critical role in this growth. The availability of affordable panels, inverters, and related equipment has allowed countries with limited budgets to scale renewable energy projects efficiently. “The quality and competitiveness of Chinese products make it possible to deploy larger volumes of solar capacity across Africa, supporting both energy security and low-carbon economic growth,” Pflomm explained.
The implications extend beyond energy generation. Increased solar capacity supports job creation, strengthens local energy infrastructure, and contributes to climate action targets. Countries are leveraging solar to diversify away from fossil fuels and mitigate risks associated with hydropower dependency, such as recurring droughts in southern Africa.
Analysts note that Africa’s solar market growth also signals a shift in global renewable energy dynamics. While China has long dominated solar manufacturing, its products are now catalyzing a clean energy revolution in emerging markets, making the continent one of the fastest-growing solar regions in the world.
By Thuita Gatero, Managing Editor, Africa Digest News. He specializes in conversations around data centers, AI, cloud infrastructure, and energy.
