NAIROBI, September 15, 2026 – The solar power installations in Africa will reach 17 gigawatt this year, according to the market report released this week by Africa Solar Industry Association. This peak is an increase of 45% over 2025, making it the third consecutive year that Africa sets a record in solar power capacity installed. The figure is equal to approximately 100,000 solar panels installed every day or one panel installed every second.
This is an impressive figure for a continent that only recently began getting a small piece of the global pie, but it has been coming for many years now, and 2026 seems to be the year this starts translating into installations.
This growth can be seen in more than a couple of countries. South Africa continues to be at the forefront of solar power development, but Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Senegal are also making progress, in some cases using battery storage. In West Africa, rooftop and mini-grid systems are beginning to operate in the areas where central grid is weak or non-existent. Meanwhile, in East Africa, solar-powered irrigation and cold storage technology is being used by farmers and suppliers.
Several forces are driving the surge. Solar module prices remain near historic lows, making photovoltaics cheaper than diesel, heavy fuel oil and, in many cases, new gas generation. Governments are under pressure to cut expensive fuel imports and add electricity quickly. Development banks, climate funds and private investors are responding with capital, though financing costs remain high in many African markets.
"The numbers are impressive, but what matters is execution," said Amina Odhiambo, an energy analyst based in Nairobi. "A few years ago, many of these projects were just announcements. Now we are seeing construction crews, transmission lines and actual power flowing to the grid."
Still, the boom faces real obstacles. Grid bottlenecks can delay projects for years. Currency volatility and high interest rates raise the cost of borrowing. In some countries, utilities are already struggling to pay for the power they buy, which makes new long-term contracts risky. Permitting and land acquisition can also be slow.
A 45 percent growth may not really be maintained indefinitely. Analysts predict that by 2027, growth may slow down if investments in the grid do not increase. Right now, however, Africa is advancing in a different direction from some other mature markets. Global solar installations will reduce in 2026 since growth will be slowed in Europe and China. In contrast, Africa is maintaining an accelerating pace of solar extension.
Moreover, jobs are being created as a result of the extension. Installation, electrical works, equipment repair, and maintenance services professionals are sought after in many countries. In the countries with favorable industrial policies, assembly and manufacture industries may be developed. Cheaper electricity will improve small businesses, agriculture, health care, and educational spheres.
If the forecast for 2026 turns out to be accurate, Africa will break its record in the third year in a row. Yet this accomplishment is quite important for the continent where over 600 million people still do not have decent electricity. The current task is to convert the pipeline into electricity and ensure that it benefits those who need it.
