If Africa Is So Sunny, Why Are Millions Still Living in the Dark?

Written By: Faith Jemososp

Let’s start with a simple question:
How can the sunniest continent on Earth still have over 600 million people without electricity?

That’s right. Africa gets an abundance of sunlight more than almost anywhere else on the planet. From the Sahel to the Kalahari, the sun blazes down nearly every day. It should be the perfect recipe for solar power success.

But here’s the paradox: Africa is still struggling to light up homes, power schools, or run clinics using the very sunlight it has in plenty.

So, what’s holding solar energy back in Africa? Let’s dig in together.

Is Sunlight Really Enough?

We often hear people say, “Africa has more than enough sun to power the whole continent.”

Technically, that’s true. Most African countries receive between 5 and 7 kilowatt-hours of solar energy per square meter per day. That’s massive enough to fuel homes, towns, and even industries.

But here’s the catch: sunlight itself isn’t electricity. You still need infrastructure to capture, store, convert, and distribute that energy. Solar panels, batteries, grids, inverters, trained technicians all of that costs money, planning, and commitment.

And that’s where things start to fall apart.

What’s the Real Problem ,the Sun or the System?

Picture this: A solar farm is set up in a rural part of Nigeria or Malawi. It’s supposed to power thousands of homes. Great idea, right?

Now imagine there’s no proper road to deliver replacement parts, no technician in the area to fix things when they break down, and no grid connection to distribute the energy. Eventually, the system fails and people go back to using kerosene lamps or diesel generators.

According to the African Development Bank, 80% of rural sub-Saharan Africa still isn’t connected to the national grid. That makes central power systems hard to manage, and off-grid systems often remain underfunded, under-serviced, and short-lived.

So the question is: Are we building solar systems that can last, or just temporary fixes for energy poverty?

If Solar Is Getting Cheaper Worldwide, Why Is It Still So Expensive Here?

You’d think falling global prices for solar would mean more people in Africa can afford it, right?

Well, not exactly.

The average household in a rural African village might make less than $100 a month. A basic solar home system  enough to power a few lights and charge a phone  can cost between $150 and $300. Even with Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) models, many families still struggle with repayments.

And guess what else drives prices up?

• Import taxes and customs duties on solar panels and batteries.
• Expensive shipping and logistics.
• Lack of local manufacturing, which means almost everything comes from China or Europe.
• High interest rates on loans from local banks (sometimes over 20%).

Also read: Why Over 3 Million South Africans Still Live Without Access to Electricity

So while solar panels might be cheap in theory, in practice, they’re still out of reach for millions.

What Role Does Government Play and Are They Helping?.

Some African governments are doing great things. Morocco, for instance, built one of the world’s largest solar power stations Noor Ouarzazate and is leading on energy transition. Kenya has created favorable policies for off-grid solar companies and massively increased rural electrification.

But in many other countries, things are less hopeful.

Why?

• Some governments don’t have clear policies to support solar.
• Others offer subsidies for fossil fuels while taxing solar products.
• Corruption sometimes derails donor-funded solar projects.
• And in many cases, national utilities fear losing control if energy goes decentralized.
  
  If solar works, why aren’t African governments embracing it faster and more boldly?

What About the National Grid, Can It Even Handle Solar?

Here’s something most people don’t talk about: Africa’s energy grids are not ready for widespread solar integration.

In countries like South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria, the grid is already overloaded. Frequent blackouts (a.k.a. “load shedding”) are a common reality. Adding variable solar power without updating the grid can make things worse.

Plus, traditional utilities often resist rooftop solar or small-scale energy providers because they fear competition or loss of revenue.

So what happens?

• New solar installations sit unused because they’re not allowed to connect to the grid.
• Independent solar producers are forced to sell electricity to governments at low prices if they’re allowed at all.
• Smart-grid systems, which would make solar integration easier, are still rare across the continent.

Is solar really failing, or is the system failing solar?

Why Can’t We Just Make Solar Panels in Africa?

Imagine if solar panels were made in Nigeria, Kenya, or Ethiopia it would create jobs, cut costs, and reduce dependency on imports.

So why isn’t it happening?

• Building a solar manufacturing plant is expensive and energy-intensive.
• Many countries lack the skilled labor needed for production and maintenance.
• Government support is inconsistent, making investors nervous.
• The market is fragmented, so companies can’t scale.

A few countries are trying like South Africa, Egypt, and Rwanda, but so far, local production accounts for less than 10% of demand.

Africa needs a continental strategy for clean-tech manufacturing, not scattered efforts.

Are Foreign Donors and Solar Startups Helping or Hurting?

On one hand, international support has brought solar to millions of homes. Companies like M-KOPA, d.light, and BBOXX have expanded access in places where government failed.

But here’s the flip side:

• Many projects are designed to impress donors, not serve communities long-term.
• After-sales support is often poor when systems break, they’re abandoned.
• Some foreign firms exit once the funding dries up, leaving locals with unusable tech.

Also read: Can Turning Trash Into Power Save Africa’s Future?

Without strong local leadership, many solar solutions become temporary aid projects instead of permanent energy systems.

 So, What Needs to Change?

Africa doesn’t need to wait on miracles. The steps are clear:

1. Remove import duties and taxes on solar gear.
2. Create policies that support mini-grids and private solar providers.
3. Train local technicians so communities can maintain systems.
4. Encourage local manufacturing with incentives.
5. Invest in battery storage and smart-grid technology.
6. Engage communities in planning not just donors and contractors.

it’s not just about technology, It’s about systems, leadership, and ownership.

Africa doesn’t just need panels ,it needs policy reform, infrastructure upgrades, affordable financing, and strong institutions.

The sun alone won’t power Africa. But with the right tools and the right will it can.