Nations across the world are racing to redefine their power sources, not merely to combat climate change but to secure long-term economic resilience and national security. In 2024, global investments in clean energy reached $2.1 trillion, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Electrified transport emerged as the leading area of global energy investment, drawing an impressive $757 billion. This amount covered a broad range of sectors, including passenger electric vehicles (EVs), electric two- and three-wheelers, commercial EVs, public charging infrastructure, and fuel cell vehicles. Close behind was renewable energy, which attracted $728 billion in investments across solar, wind (both onshore and offshore), biofuels, biomass and waste-to-energy, marine energy, geothermal, and small hydropower projects.
Additionally, power grid infrastructure saw substantial growth, with $390 billion allocated to expanding transmission and distribution networks, upgrading substation equipment, and advancing the digitalisation of grid systems. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology led the charge, accounting for over $500 billion of that total. This seismic shift reflects a growing recognition that renewable energy isn’t just about environmental responsibility; it’s a pragmatic strategy for self-reliance and future-proof development.
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Against this backdrop, Africa stands on the edge of a defining moment. With its vast untapped solar and wind potential, alongside rich fossil fuel reserves, the continent is uniquely positioned to build a diversified energy portfolio. The central question is whether Africa can harness its natural advantages to build a cleaner, more inclusive, and economically beneficial energy system without losing sight of its current energy needs.
In the past decade, Africa’s renewable energy capacity has seen significant growth. From just under 30 gigawatts in 2013, it rose to 62.1 gigawatts by the end of 2023. Solar power has been the most dynamic segment, expanding from a modest 1.66 GW in 2014 to 13.47 GW in 2023 and climbing by another 2.5 GW in early 2024. South Africa and Egypt led this expansion, together accounting for over 75 per cent of new solar installations last year.
Wind energy is also gaining ground. Africa’s total installed wind power capacity grew from 2.39 GW in 2014 to 8.7 GW in 2023. Countries like Morocco, Egypt, and Kenya have emerged as regional leaders, showing how focused investment and regulatory support can drive growth.
Still, these achievements are modest in global terms. Africa accounts for less than 2 per cent of global renewable energy capacity, even though it holds 60 per cent of the world’s best solar resources, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). In 2024, the continent received over $40 billion in clean energy investments, an encouraging increase from the $19 billion recorded in 2020, but still a fraction of what is needed.
Amid these challenges, a growing number of projects across the continent are showing what is possible with the right blend of political will, international support, and local engagement.
In March 2024, The Gambia commissioned the 23-megawatt Jambur Solar Power Station. Built with backing from the World Bank, European Union, and European Investment Bank, this facility is designed to reduce the country’s reliance on imported fuel and extend power access to underserved communities.
In April, Zambia responded to worsening drought conditions that crippled its hydropower supply by launching the 60 MW Itimpi Solar Power Station. The plant is expected to generate 130 GWh annually, enough to supply thousands of homes and stabilise the national grid.
Burkina Faso followed in May with the commissioning of the 26.6 MW Zina Solar Power Station. Developed in partnership with Amea Power and Windiga Energy, the project will electrify 43,000 homes and cut annual carbon emissions by over 13,000 tonnes.
These examples reveal more than technical success; they represent a shift in mindset. Solar energy is no longer a luxury but a necessity, especially in rural and climate-vulnerable regions.
Africa remains deeply intertwined with oil and gas. The fossil fuel sector still supplies over 70 per cent of the continent’s energy needs and contributes significantly to national revenues, especially in countries like Nigeria, Angola, and Algeria.
In 2024, Nigeria secured major international investments in gas development. TotalEnergies and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) jointly committed $550 million to develop the Ubeta Gas Field, which includes six new wells and an 11-kilometre pipeline. This will provide crucial feedstock for domestic power and industrial use.
Around the same time, Shell and its partners finalised an investment in the Iseni Gas Field in Bayelsa State. The project is projected to supply 100 million standard cubic feet of gas daily to the massive Dangote Refinery, a key industrial node for West Africa.
These projects are not mere holdovers from a fossil-fuel past; they are designed to secure domestic energy while reducing flaring and encouraging local processing, making them more efficient and environmentally responsible than previous models.
The human benefits of energy diversification are already evident in places where renewable energy has reached previously underserved populations. A 2024 impact study conducted in Kenya and Nigeria revealed that communities with access to solar mini-grids experienced tangible social and economic gains. Household incomes rose by up to 400 per cent, small business productivity increased, and more women reported active participation in the local economy.
These micro-level transformations challenge the outdated narrative that clean energy is too expensive or elitist for Africa. On the contrary, when properly deployed, renewables are proving to be faster, safer, and more equitable than traditional grid expansion.
Moreover, renewables are proving resilient in the face of climate challenges. As droughts and floods destabilise hydropower and infrastructure, decentralised solar and wind installations offer a buffer against service disruptions.
Africa’s energy future does not require a complete abandonment of fossil fuels. Rather, it demands a smart and well-paced integration of renewables into existing systems. Natural gas, for example, can serve as a transitional bridge, being less carbon-intensive than coal or oil and crucial for stabilising grids as renewable capacity grows.
To achieve true diversification, African governments must pursue stable policy environments, invest in energy infrastructure, and deepen regional cooperation. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could play a crucial role in harmonising standards and enabling cross-border energy trade.
Financial institutions and development banks must also shift their lending priorities. Local banks need capacity-building support to fund clean energy businesses, while global investors should see Africa not as a risk but as an opportunity.
Africa is standing at the edge of an energy renaissance. It is not just about powering cities or factories; it’s about transforming societies. With a combination of sun, wind, and yes, oil, the continent has the raw materials to craft a diversified energy future that serves both people and planet.
Getting there will require bold leadership, visionary planning, and consistent international support. But if Africa manages to harness its sun-drenched skies and windy plains while reforming its fossil fuel dependence, it won’t just be catching up with the world; it will be leading by example.
