Renewable energy is overtaking traditional power projects across Africa, industry leaders say
Africa’s energy projects in 2025 show a major shift toward renewables, with 173 solar projects out of 322 total, driven by cost savings and faster deployment, while China-Zambia deals highlight lingering coal reliance. The continent added a record 11.3 GW of renewable capacity, led by South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia, as solar and wind costs drop globally by 90% and 70% respectively since 2010.
Africa’s energy sector is rapidly transitioning to renewables, with solar and wind projects dominating new developments in 2025. Of the 322 energy projects announced across the continent, 173 were solar, followed by hydropower (46), wind (34), gas (22), and hybrid systems (14), according to Electron Intelligence. The shift reflects economic and logistical advantages: utility-scale solar costs have fallen nearly 90% since 2010, while onshore wind costs dropped around 70%, making renewables the cheapest new electricity source in many African markets. The trend is accelerating despite challenges like fuel price volatility and unreliable grids. Africa added 11.3 gigawatts of renewable capacity in 2025—triple the previous year—with South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia leading growth. Investors favor renewables for faster returns and lower risk, particularly in off-grid systems like solar-powered mini-grids, which avoid reliance on central utilities. Data from the Africa Solar Industry Association shows 23.4 GW of operational solar projects, though unrecorded installations suggest adoption may be even higher. Distributed solar and battery systems are expanding rapidly, supplying mines, factories, and homes without grid connections. For example, CrossBoundary Energy completed over 80% of a 233-megawatt solar-battery project for the Kamoa-Kakula copper mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo within a year. While some projects still include coal—such as Zambia’s $1.5 billion deal with China, which combines solar, wind, and coal—the broader trend favors renewables for their speed and cost efficiency. Experts highlight Africa’s strategic position in the global energy transition, citing abundant renewable resources and declining costs. Mugwe Manga of FSD Kenya noted the continent’s central role, while Olamide Niyi-Afuye of the Africa Minigrid Developers Association emphasized the shift toward flexible, scalable systems. The data underscores a fundamental change: renewables are now the fastest, cheapest, and most reliable way to meet Africa’s growing energy demands.
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