At a Glance
- Record renewable energy deals position Africa as a rising hub for clean power investment.
- Morocco, Kenya, and South Africa lead large-scale solar, wind, and geothermal expansions.
- Global investors, from Scatec to ENGIE, fuel Africa’s shift toward sustainable electricity access.
Africa is steadily redefining its energy future. From Morocco’s solar deserts to Kenya’s wind farms and South Africa’s expanding grids, the continent is drawing record investment in clean power.
Governments, private investors, and global firms are working together to turn Africa’s abundant sunlight, wind, and geothermal heat into dependable electricity.
South Africa leads the charge. Its latest solar and wind projects, part of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme, will add over 1,000 megawatts to the grid and attract more than $20 billion in private funding.
For a coal-dependent economy battling blackouts, the shift marks both progress and necessity.
Morocco continues to set the pace in North Africa, signing new deals with TAQA and Nareva to expand its solar and wind portfolio.
The Noor Ouarzazate complex remains a global benchmark, powering homes and positioning Morocco as a future energy exporter to Europe.
In East Africa, Kenya’s Lake Turkana wind project and Ethiopia’s geothermal ventures highlight a broader regional effort to boost energy access and cut fuel imports.
Backed by global players like Scatec, ENGIE, and Lightsource BP, Africa’s renewable push is no longer experimental — it’s becoming essential infrastructure.
Here are 10 notable deals powering the continent, as profiles by Shore Africa
1. Morocco — TAQA / Nareva Strategic Programme: A $14 billion partnership among TAQA Morocco, Nareva, ONEE, and the Mohammed VI Investment Fund to expand renewables, desalination, and build a 1,400-kilometer transmission line.
2. South Africa — Sonvanger Solar (Glencore & Pele Green Energy): A $116 million solar plant in the Free State to supply 100 megawatts to local grids.
3. Egypt — Benban Solar Cluster (Scatec & Partners): One of the world’s largest solar developments, delivering 390 megawatts under long-term public-private agreements.
4. Kenya — Lake Turkana Wind Power (BlackRock Investment): BlackRock’s Climate Finance Partnership recently took a major stake, reflecting strong investor confidence in African renewables.
5. Ethiopia — Tulu Moye & Corbetti Geothermal Projects: Expected to produce more than 500 megawatts combined, strengthening Ethiopia’s role in the Horn of Africa.
6. Morocco — Noor Ouarzazate CSP Complex: A landmark solar project setting a global benchmark for large-scale renewable deployment.
7. ACWA Power — Morocco Solar Expansion: New contracts totaling 800 megawatts, reinforcing Gulf investment in North African energy.
8. South Africa — EIB / DBSA Financing Support: Hundreds of millions of euros in new development financing to lower investor risk.
9. Nigeria — $200 Million Mini-Grid Expansion (WeLight): Hundreds of mini-grids to power rural and peri-urban communities.
10. ENGIE — Regional Mini-Grid Partnerships: Ongoing projects in Zambia and Nigeria that expand affordable off-grid access.
