Africa’s commercial and industrial (C&I) solar market is attracting investment from renewable energy developers, property companies, manufacturers, hotels and industrial operators seeking to reduce electricity costs, improve power reliability and limit dependence on diesel generators.
Major developments include Scatec’s $650 million solar and battery project in Egypt, BluEnergy’s R360 million solar investment in South Africa, Redefine Properties’ R106 million rooftop solar project and a 7.4 MW industrial rooftop installation in Zimbabwe.
The projects demonstrate growing demand for rooftop solar, battery energy storage systems, corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) and electricity wheeling, which allows renewable power generated at one location to be supplied to customers elsewhere through the grid.
Major Africa C&I Solar Projects and Investments
| Country | Project or developer | Capacity | Investment |
| Egypt | Scatec – Dandara | 1 GW solar, 200 MWh storage | $650 million |
| Egypt | Nasr Petroleum | 1.2 MW | Not disclosed |
| South Africa | BluEnergy – Springs Market | 25.6 MW | R360 million |
| South Africa | Redefine – Brackengate | 7.014 MW | R106 million |
| Zimbabwe | Limpopo Way Power – Harare | 7.4 MW | Not disclosed |
| Zimbabwe | Victoria Falls Safari Collection | 1 MW, 1.7 MWh storage | $1 million |
| Kenya | Matete Health Centre | 34.5 kW | KSh11 million |
Figures reflect announced project investments and capacities. The Scatec project is a large industrial power-supply development rather than a conventional rooftop installation.
Egypt: Scatec Advances $650 Million Solar and Battery Investment
Norwegian renewable energy developer Scatec is advancing the Dandara solar and battery storage project in Upper Egypt to supply electricity to state-owned Egypt Aluminium under a 25-year power purchase agreement.
The project is designed for 1 GW of solar generation and 200 MWh of battery storage, with estimated investment of approximately $650 million.
The first phase comprises 569 MW of solar capacity and 100 MWh of battery storage, supported by $217 million in non-recourse financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, African Development Bank and European Investment Bank.
Construction has started, while the National Bank of Egypt has taken a 20 percent equity stake.
The development illustrates how long-term industrial electricity contracts can support financing for large renewable energy investments.
Separately, Nasr Petroleum has inaugurated a 1.2 MW solar installation in Suez Governorate. The project includes ten solar canopies above parking facilities and is expected to displace 2,628 MWh of grid electricity annually.
Egypt’s petroleum and mining sector implemented 36 solar projects totalling 5 MW between July 2024 and September 2026, with expected annual savings of 680,000 litres of diesel and 14 million cubic feet of natural gas.
Egyptian Swiss Group is also considering solar installations at its industrial facilities as part of a wider manufacturing expansion programme.
South Africa: BluEnergy and Redefine Expand Solar Investments
BluEnergy, a subsidiary of Blu Label Unlimited, and IBS Crafts have started developing a R360 million solar facility at Springs Fresh Produce Market in Ekurhuleni.
The 25.6 MW project will combine rooftop installations with ground-mounted panels on unused land. It is expected to generate approximately 40 GWh annually and avoid 36,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
The municipality will purchase electricity under a 20-year PPA without providing upfront construction capital. The project is expected to create more than 100 construction jobs.
Redefine Properties has invested R106 million in a 7.014 MW rooftop solar installation at the Massmart Distribution Centre in Brackengate, Cape Town.
The project includes 11,691 panels covering approximately 57,000 square metres and is expected to generate 9,889 MWh annually.
Electricity will be wheeled through Cape Town’s municipal grid to Kenilworth Centre, Blue Route Mall and The Towers office precinct, demonstrating how commercial property owners can distribute solar electricity across multiple buildings.
Zimbabwe: Industrial Rooftop Solar and Tourism Investments
Limpopo Way Power is nearing commissioning of a 7.4 MW rooftop solar project at Harare’s Willowvale Industrial Site.
The installation covers approximately 33,500 square metres across two warehouses and includes a 7.2-kilometre, 33-kV grid connection to Kambuzuma substation.
The project is designed to deliver electricity to an industrial customer through Zimbabwe’s electricity-wheeling framework, subject to final testing and approvals.
At Victoria Falls, Africa Albida Tourism has commissioned a $1 million, 1 MW solar installation serving Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Lokuthula Lodges and Boma Dinner and Drum Show.
The system combines 1,300 solar panels with 1.7 MWh of battery storage to reduce diesel-generator consumption.
Palm Hospitality Group has separately applied to develop a 240 kW solar installation, reflecting increasing renewable energy adoption across Zimbabwe’s tourism industry.
Kenya and Nigeria Expand Solar Installations
In Kenya, Kakamega County is investing KSh11 million in a 34.5 kW solar installation at Matete Health Centre.
The project includes 60 solar panels to support refrigeration, medical equipment, lighting and uninterrupted healthcare operations.
In Nigeria, Sokoto State has opened procurement for infrastructure upgrades across 100 schools, including solar electricity systems and digital learning equipment. Thirty-one companies participated in the bidding process. Solar capacity and the solar-specific investment amount have not been disclosed.
Additional Africa C&I Solar Projects and Vendors
Beyond the latest projects, several developers are expanding distributed renewable energy across African industrial markets.
CrossBoundary Energy – Democratic Republic of the Congo: The developer commissioned a 233 MWp solar and 526 MWh battery storage facility for the Kamoa-Kakula copper mining complex in August 2026. The system is designed to supply 30 MW of firm renewable electricity, demonstrating the potential of solar-plus-storage for energy-intensive mining operations.
CrossBoundary Energy – Nigeria: Its manufacturing portfolio includes a 4 MWp solar installation with 2.28 MWh of battery storage at Nigerian Breweries’ Ama facility and a 3.1 MWp solar project with 2.06 MWh of storage at Ibadan.
CrossBoundary Energy – Kenya: The developer’s projects include a 2.24 MWp installation for National Cement in Nakuru and a 2.07 MWp solar facility for Maisha Packaging.
CrossBoundary Energy – Ghana: Projects include 1.3 MWp for Kasapreko, 1.1 MWp for Guinness Ghana Breweries and 1 MWp for Unilever Ghana.
These installations are listed in CrossBoundary Energy’s African commercial and industrial solar portfolio.
Other vendors active in Africa’s distributed solar market include Daystar Power, Starsight Energy, SolarAfrica, Wetility, SustainSolar and Yellow Door Energy, serving different combinations of commercial, industrial and distributed-energy customers.
Africa C&I Solar Investment Outlook
Africa’s commercial and industrial solar market is moving beyond standalone rooftop installations toward integrated solar, battery storage, electricity wheeling and long-term power supply contracts.
Projects from Scatec, BluEnergy, Redefine Properties, CrossBoundary Energy and Africa Albida Tourism illustrate opportunities across aluminium manufacturing, municipal infrastructure, logistics, mining and hospitality.
The most important investment indicators include installed capacity, project CAPEX, annual electricity generation, PPA duration, customer creditworthiness, storage requirements and operating savings.
For African businesses, reliable electricity and reduced exposure to diesel and grid-price volatility remain important investment drivers. For developers, the ability to secure long-term contracts and financing will determine how quickly announced projects become operating renewable energy assets.
SHAFANA FAZAL
