Africa has approximately 148 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity announced or under development, as governments position solar power to address widespread electricity shortages, reduce fossil-fuel dependence, and lower generation costs.
Large-scale solar projects are increasingly paired with battery storage, with estimates placing the cost of continuous solar-plus-storage electricity at about USD 76 per megawatt-hour.
Much of the announced capacity is concentrated in Northern Africa, where several multi-gigawatt projects are planned.
Libya has proposed a 25,000 MW Special Economic Zone solar project, alongside an additional 3,300 MW of photovoltaic installations.
Mauritania has announced the 30,000 MW Megaton Moon project and the 12,000 MW AMAN Green Hydrogen project, both intended to support export-oriented clean energy production.
Morocco continues to expand its solar footprint with developments including the 7,500 MW AMUN solar farm and the 7,000 MW Xlinks interconnection project designed to transmit renewable power to the United Kingdom.
Solar tied to diversification efforts in Chad
In Chad, solar energy forms part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on hydrocarbons, which account for roughly 70.9% of export revenues.
Under the “Tchad Connexion 2030” framework and the National Energy Compact, the government aims to raise renewables to 30% of the national energy mix.
Current and planned projects include the 50 MWp Noor Chad solar plant and African Development Bank-supported facilities at Gassi and Lamadji. Authorities say these plants will support digital infrastructure, cold storage, and agricultural value chains, where about 80% of the population is engaged in farming.
Battery Energy Storage Systems are expanding the role of solar power by allowing electricity generated during the day to be delivered on demand.
Estimates indicate that converting daytime solar into dispatchable electricity costs about USD 33/MWh, bringing the total cost of continuous supply to roughly USD 76/MWh.
Mauritius has already implemented a 100 MWp solar project with 290 MWh of battery storage, supplying electricity at approximately USD 0.07 per kilowatt-hour.
Several countries are deploying floating solar installations on reservoirs and inland water bodies to address land constraints.
Read Also: Is Eskom’s Power System Better Than Five Years Ago What the Data Shows
Ghana has commissioned multiple phases of floating solar at the Bui Reservoir, totalling 250 MW. Zimbabwe has announced plans for a 1,000 MW floating solar project on Lake Kariba.
Some facilities are integrated with industrial operations, including a 300 MW solar plant supplying the Karo Platinum Mine. Despite the growing project pipeline, financing remains a central constraint.
Africa’s energy and climate goals require an estimated USD 277 billion in annual investment. Current climate finance flows cover roughly 11% of that amount. Solar deployment is increasingly linked to domestic manufacturing.
Nigeria has established a public–private partnership to develop a 1 GW solar panel manufacturing facility and plans an additional 1.2 GW module assembly plant.
Regional power integration is also advancing. The Cameroon–Chad Interconnection (PIRECT) will enable cross-border electricity trade, including hydropower imports. In Southern Africa, Botswana and Namibia’s Mega Solar Initiative includes 2,250 MW of planned capacity to supply regional markets.
Solar projects are gaining traction as conventional thermal generation costs remain high in several markets, reaching up to USD 0.22 per kilowatt-hour. Lower-cost solar generation is prompting utilities to reassess future capacity additions.
By Thuita Gatero, Managing Editor, Africa Digest News. He specializes in conversations around data centers, AI, cloud infrastructure, and energy.