Africa Solar Capacity Grows 45 Percent in 2026
The region hit 17 gigawatts of new solar installations, outpacing its historical annual electricity demand growth.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Energy
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Africa installed 17 gigawatts of solar power in 2026, marking a 45 percent increase over the previous year. This growth brings the total annual solar electricity generation to 23 terawatt-hours.
Why it matters
The rapid expansion of solar capacity, which saw record installations in 36 countries, highlights a significant shift in energy infrastructure investment. This trajectory suggests solar is outpacing the continent's average annual electricity demand growth recorded over the last decade.
Ember estimates this capacity by calculating 73 percent of Chinese solar equipment imports over a six-month installation window. Solar power now accounts for 2.3 percent of Africa's total electricity generation, compared to a 2.2 percent average annual demand growth from 2014 to 2024.
The players
Ember
An energy think tank that analyzes power generation, emissions, and infrastructure data to track global energy transitions.
Senegal
A country currently on track to add solar capacity between 2023 and 2026 equal to 80 percent of its 2023 total grid capacity.
The details
Researchers use customs data to track the influx of photovoltaic components and calibrate them into capacity figures. The methodology assumes that the majority of these imported modules enter active service within half a year of arrival. Nineteen African nations demonstrated particularly high momentum, recording year-on-year growth exceeding 100 percent.
Timeline
2014-2024: Average annual electricity demand growth occurred at 2.2 percent.
2023-2026: Significant solar capacity growth observed across the continent.
2026: Africa installed 17 gigawatts of new solar power.
The Tech Race
The 2026 installation figures show a clear acceleration, as growth rates climbed from 25 percent in 2024 to 51 percent in 2025 before settling at 45 percent. This trend outpaces the decade-long average electricity demand growth, signaling a move toward more rapid renewable adoption.
The surge in solar deployment is concentrated in 36 countries currently installing record amounts of hardware. While grid impact varies by nation, the shift directly affects local energy supply availability and long-term utility planning.
The takeaway
The data confirms that solar is becoming a primary driver of new electrical capacity in Africa, far outpacing previous demand growth trends. Stakeholders should track the 2027 capacity figures to see if the 100 percent growth surge seen in 19 countries sustains long-term grid stability.
Further reading
For broader context on regional power shifts, visit the Energy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ESI-Africa.
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