Africa is accelerating its renewable energy transition through major investments in solar power, battery energy storage systems (BESS), industrial decarbonization, and clean electricity infrastructure. New projects across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Egypt, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe highlight growing efforts to improve energy security, reduce dependence on diesel generation, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and support sustainable industrial growth.
Greenco Expands Solar Power for Mining and Industry in DRC
Greenco is expanding its clean energy business in Lualaba Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, targeting mining and industrial customers with reliable solar electricity solutions.
The company plans to reduce dependence on expensive diesel generators and unreliable grid electricity by combining solar generation with integrated energy services. The initiative is expected to improve energy security, lower operating costs, reduce carbon emissions, and help industrial companies achieve long-term sustainability goals.
Egypt’s Green Sharm Initiative Cuts 85,100 Tonnes of Emissions
Egypt has completed 50 public and private sector projects valued at approximately USD 19.9 million under its Green Sharm initiative.
The six-year program covers 42 square kilometers of Sharm El-Sheikh and surrounding protected marine areas, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 85,100 tonnes.
The initiative has installed more than 4 MW of solar capacity across airports, museums, schools, hospitals, and hotels, while deploying 891 solar-powered lighting poles.
These investments have increased the city’s renewable energy capacity to approximately 55 MW, meeting nearly 18 percent of local electricity consumption. The project will continue until June 2028 with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
TotalEnergies Powers More Than Half of Kenyan Fuel Stations with Solar
TotalEnergies Marketing Kenya has installed solar systems at 154 fuel stations out of its 285-site network as of May 2026, covering approximately 54.03 percent of its retail operations.
The rollout is designed to reduce electricity costs, improve resilience during power outages, and lower carbon emissions.
The expansion comes as commercial customers increasingly adopt self-generation, creating pressure on Kenya Power, whose industrial and commercial customers generated Sh148.2 billion, representing 64 percent of electricity sales during the year ended June 2025.
TotalEnergies held a 14.01 percent share of Kenya’s fuel market as of December 2025.
TotalEnergies Launches 7.1 MW Solar Project for Mozambique LNG
TotalEnergies has issued a tender for the engineering, procurement, construction, and operational management of a 7.1 MW solar photovoltaic plant supporting its Mozambique LNG project in Afungi, Cabo Delgado Province.
The solar installation will occupy approximately 6.5 hectares and include 13,224 photovoltaic panels.
The project forms part of the Area 1 Mozambique LNG development and is intended to reduce emissions while increasing renewable energy use across one of Africa’s largest liquefied natural gas developments.
Financing Model Boosts Battery Storage Adoption in Nigeria
A battery energy storage provider has introduced financing-backed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) solutions to accelerate clean energy adoption among Nigerian businesses.
The financing model enables commercial and industrial customers to deploy battery storage without significant upfront capital investment, improving cash flow while reducing dependence on diesel generators.
The integrated renewable energy and storage solution is expected to improve energy resilience, lower electricity costs, and make advanced BESS technology more accessible for businesses across multiple sectors.
South Africa Advances 300 MW Solar and 660 MWh Battery Storage Project
Envision Energy has secured an agreement with SOLA Group and WBHO to supply a 660 MWh Battery Energy Storage System for South Africa’s Naos-1 hybrid renewable energy project.
Located near Viljoenskroon in the Free State, the facility combines 300 MW of solar photovoltaic generation with 660 MWh of battery storage.
The project will deliver dispatchable renewable electricity to private industrial customers through grid wheeling and is regarded as South Africa’s largest privately contracted hybrid renewable energy project to reach financial close.
The development is expected to improve grid stability, address renewable energy intermittency, and strengthen South Africa’s transition toward flexible, market-driven, low-carbon electricity systems.
Zimbabwe’s Mining Industry Accelerates Solar Investments
Zimbabwe’s gold mining industry is rapidly expanding investments in utility-scale solar power and battery storage to overcome chronic electricity shortages and rising energy costs.
Mining companies are deploying renewable energy to reduce dependence on unreliable grid electricity and diesel generation, improving operational continuity, lowering production costs, and strengthening energy security for one of Zimbabwe’s largest export sectors.
Zimplats Advances 185 MW Solar Development
Zimplats is progressing a 185 MW solar power project to strengthen energy security and reduce reliance on Zimbabwe’s constrained electricity grid.
The large-scale renewable energy investment supports the company’s long-term decarbonization strategy by improving electricity reliability for platinum mining operations while reducing emissions and operating costs.
Beyond supporting mining activities, the 185 MW project is expected to stimulate private renewable energy investment, enhance grid resilience, promote sustainable industrial development, and accelerate Zimbabwe’s transition toward a cleaner, more secure energy future.
Renewable Energy Investments Gather Pace Across Africa
From 55 MW of renewable capacity in Egypt and 154 solar-powered fuel stations in Kenya to 7.1 MW of solar for Mozambique LNG, 300 MW of solar with 660 MWh of battery storage in South Africa, and 185 MW of new mining-focused solar capacity in Zimbabwe, Africa is rapidly scaling clean energy infrastructure.
These investments demonstrate how governments, energy companies, and industrial businesses are leveraging solar power, battery storage, and renewable electricity to reduce emissions, improve energy security, strengthen industrial competitiveness, and accelerate the continent’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
SHAFANA FAZAL