The Global Solar Council (GSC) has released its Africa Market Outlook for Solar PV 2025-2028 with an in-depth analysis of the continent’s solar photovoltaic (PV) growth in the next four years and an overview of investment opportunities and policy frameworks.

According to the report, Africa is expected to install an additional 23 GW of solar by 2028, more than doubling its current capacity.

“Africa holds vast solar potential, with 60% of the world's best solar resources, yet solar PV currently accounts for only 3% of the continent’s electricity generation. As global efforts intensify to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, Africa’s role in achieving this target is more critical than ever,” says the report.

The market outlook is produced in partnership with RMI (Rocky Mountain Institute), a non-profit organisation focused on advancing clean energy solutions and sustainability worldwide. It is also backed by GET.invest, a European programme that supports renewable energy investments in developing markets, particularly in Africa.

With input from industry experts and stakeholders, the council’s report examines solar project financing challenges, grid integration, and the impact of both utility-scale and off-grid solutions on expanding energy access. It also provides market forecasts, investment trends, and policy recommendations to support Africa’s shift towards clean energy.

According to the GSC data, 2.4 GW of new solar capacity was installed in Africa in 2024. While this represented a slight decrease from 2023, the shift reflected a broader regional market transformation. South Africa and Egypt continued to lead the sector, accounting for three-quarters of new solar installations last year.

However, new emerging markets are stepping up. Solar power deployment expanded quickly in West Africa last year, with Ghana leading the growth by almost quadrupling its capacity, adding 94 MW. Burkina Faso followed with 87 MW, and Nigeria with 73 MW. In Eastern Africa, Zambia doubled its solar capacity by adding 69 MW.  Also, Angola, Ivory Coast, and Gambia joined the top ten African countries for new solar installations for the first time.

In 2025, this market diversification will continue to boost the continent's solar capacity, with the market expected to surge by 42%. 18 African countries are set to install at least 100 MW of new solar capacity - up from just two in 2024, according to the report.

The GSC underscored that access to low-cost finance would be critical for tapping into Africa’s vast solar potential

“Capital costs for solar are 3 to 7 times higher in Africa than in developed countries, and the continent only receives 3% of global energy investment - far from the $200bn per year needed to achieve energy access and climate goals,” it said. “Reducing the cost of capital through innovative financing mechanisms, de-risking instruments and private sector investment will be critical.”