Africa’s utility-scale solar market is accelerating in 2026 as developers, governments and international investors move ahead with multi-gigawatt pipelines, new tenders and solar-plus-storage projects.
The biggest signal comes from INOX Clean Energy, RJ Corp and SkyPower, which are targeting more than 10 GW of solar projects across Africa. Nigeria has opened procurement for a 100 MW project, Tunisia has selected 455 MW under its latest solar authorization round, while Zambia and Zimbabwe are attracting private capital for new generation.
The investment pipeline is increasingly important as African countries seek alternatives to expensive fossil-fuel generation, hydropower shortages and unreliable grids.
The Africa Solar Industry Association’s Africa Solar Outlook 2026 shows the scale of the opportunity. AFSIA had identified more than 42,000 solar projects representing 296 GWp across Africa by the end of 2025, including 23.4 GWp of verified operational capacity, up 26 percent from 2024. Chinese module-export data suggest Africa’s actual installed solar footprint could be substantially larger.
This rapid expansion is creating opportunities across utility-scale solar projects, battery storage, transmission infrastructure and project financing.
INOX, RJ Corp and SkyPower Target More Than 10 GW
One of Africa’s largest new solar development plans comes from INOX Clean Energy, RJ Corp and SkyPower.
The companies have created an integrated renewable energy platform targeting more than 10 GW of solar capacity across Africa, initially focusing on Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
INOX Clean Energy and RJ Corp have also acquired SkyPower Services MENA through a 50:50 joint venture.
The first development phase targets approximately 570 MW, with the partners aiming for 2.5 GW of installed renewable capacity in Africa by FY2029.
If executed, the pipeline would make the partnership a significant participant in Africa’s emerging utility-scale solar market.
Nigeria Opens 100 MW Solar Tender
Nigeria is moving forward with the Niger State Solar Energy Development Project, providing one of the clearest new utility-scale procurement opportunities in West Africa.
The project includes a 100 MW solar PV plant at Maikunkele in Niger State.
Procurement has been separated into two packages: construction and installation of the 100 MW solar plant, and construction of the associated grid interconnection and power-evacuation infrastructure. Prequalification applications are due October 13, 2026, with the main bid invitation expected in January 2027.
The Nigerian government has applied for $150 million of Islamic Development Bank financing for the broader Niger State Solar Energy Development Project.
The combination of generation and grid infrastructure is significant because transmission constraints remain an important barrier to bringing new African renewable capacity online.
Zambia Emerges as a Solar Investment Hotspot
Zambia is becoming one of the most interesting markets for solar investment in Africa, driven partly by the need to diversify a power system heavily exposed to hydropower and drought.
Lunzua Power and Valinor Investments have started construction of the 10 MWac Mwandi solar project in Western Province.
The $8 million development will occupy around 40 hectares and includes an evacuation line connecting it with ZESCO’s national grid. SANY International Zambia is constructing the project.
The plant is expected to produce approximately 22 GWh annually, enough electricity for around 4,600 homes, and create roughly 100 construction jobs. Financing is structured at 30 percent equity and 70 percent debt.
The project is initially 10 MWac/11 MWp, with the broader joint venture targeting 20 MW.
Another proposed Zambian development involves a 200 MW solar project paired with 180 MWh of battery storage in Mumbwa. Projects combining PV with storage could become particularly important as Zambia seeks additional dependable power during periods of constrained hydropower generation.
Comoros Adds Solar Plus 16 MWh of Battery Storage
The Comoros has commissioned three UAE-financed solar plants with combined capacity of approximately 20 MW, demonstrating that utility-scale solar can have a major impact even in smaller African power systems.
The installations comprise 12.86 MW on Grande Comore, 4.05 MW on Anjouan and 3.1 MW on Mohéli.
Importantly, the development also includes 16 MWh of battery energy storage with 8 MW output and around 30 km of 20 kV transmission infrastructure.
The approximately AED84.4 million project was financed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. The plants are expected to generate 33.75 GWh annually, supply around 17,500 households and avoid approximately 20,900 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
The combination of solar, batteries and grid infrastructure demonstrates the growing importance of battery energy storage systems in Africa’s solar expansion.
Tunisia Selects 455 MW Across 309 Solar Projects
Tunisia has selected 309 photovoltaic projects totaling 455 MW under the sixth round of its solar authorization regime.
The portfolio consists of 187 projects of 1 MW, 119 projects of 2 MW and three projects of 10 MW. The capacity was more than double the 200 MW initially sought.
Successful projects will sell their electricity to state utility STEG under long-term power purchase agreements, with reported tariffs ranging from approximately $0.049/kWh to $0.074/kWh depending on project size.
Tunisia’s installed solar capacity had already increased from 95 MW in 2020 to 913 MW in 2025, according to Enerdata.
While these are mostly smaller plants rather than individual utility-scale mega-projects, the 455 MW portfolio demonstrates the scale at which private solar investment is entering the Tunisian electricity market.
Togo Seeks Developers for Agoè-Nyivé Solar Project
Togo has also opened prequalification for a new solar PV project at Agoè-Nyivé.
The procurement covers the design, supply, construction and commissioning of the plant, followed by three years of operation and maintenance.
The project is backed by financing from the Agence Française de Développement, with procurement managed by Togo’s AT2ER renewable energy agency.
Although final capacity has not been publicly specified in the procurement notice, the tender adds another project to West Africa’s expanding solar development pipeline.
Zimbabwe Turns to Private Solar Developers
Zimbabwe is also seeing private developers and industrial companies build solar capacity as electricity shortages increase demand for alternative generation.
The 50 MW Mapanzure solar project, involving China-Zimbabwe investment, was reported around 70 percent complete during 2026.
Other projects include Power Ventures’ 25 MW solar development near Victoria Falls, reported at around 85 percent completion, and Zimplats’ 80 MW solar project, of which 35 MW had already been commissioned while another 45 MW was under development.
The pipeline highlights an important African solar trend: mining companies, industrial users and independent power producers are becoming major sources of new generation rather than relying exclusively on state utilities.
Solar Plus Storage Becomes Africa’s Next Investment Theme
The most important change in Africa’s utility-scale solar market may be the increasing combination of solar generation with battery storage.
AFSIA estimates that converting daytime solar into dispatchable electricity with storage can cost around $33/MWh, producing 24-hour solar electricity at approximately $76/MWh when generation is included.
That economics could accelerate projects in countries dependent on imported fuels, diesel generation or vulnerable hydropower.
The 2026 pipeline therefore extends far beyond simply adding photovoltaic panels. INOX’s 10 GW ambition, Nigeria’s 100 MW procurement, Zambia’s construction pipeline, Tunisia’s 455 MW authorization round, Comoros’ solar-plus-storage plants and Zimbabwe’s private-sector developments point toward a broader transformation.
Africa’s next phase of utility-scale solar investment will increasingly combine PV, battery storage, transmission infrastructure and private capital — turning solar from a supplementary energy source into a larger component of national power systems.
SHAFANA FAZAL
