Africa is on track to install a record 17GW of solar power in 2026 which is a 45% increase from last year, according to Ember and African Tech Futures Lab.
The growth would mark the continent’s third consecutive annual record, with 36 of Africa’s 54 countries expected to install the highest amount of solar this year.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is forecast to see installations rise by 544% year-on-year, followed by Zimbabwe at 282% and Egypt at 176%.
Researchers estimate the new capacity could generate around 23TWh of electricity annually, equivalent to Africa’s average yearly electricity demand growth over the past decade.
The analysis shows that around three-quarters of solar capacity added between 2023 and 2025 was distributed generation, much of which is not captured by official statistics.
Solar manufacturing is also expected to increase, with African production forecast to quadruple to around 3.5GW in 2026 as new facilities open in Egypt and Tanzania. However, 94% of panels installed across the continent are still imported from China.
The researchers said better registration and permitting systems will be important for governments and grid operators to accurately track the rapidly expanding solar market.
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