Africa isn’t just “catching up” in the clean energy race. It’s flipping the whole script. The continent is moving from diesel to renewables, from scarcity to surplus, and from overlooked to overflowing with opportunity. Investors? Innovators? Governments? Everyone’s starting to wake up. This isn’t some distant dream, it’s the next gold rush. And it’s already underway to make the investment opportunities in Africa rich.
So, where exactly is all this happening? Let’s break it down.
First up, South Africa. This country’s been pulling in serious private capital, over $16 billion through its Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP, if you’re into long acronyms). By 2024, it wasn’t just talk. Thousands of megawatts from solar and wind were already on the grid.
What’s wild? South Africa leads the continent in private energy investment, over $22 billion and counting. Massive wind projects, sprawling solar farms, and even early moves on green hydrogen are all in play. If you’re scoping out green deals on the continent, this is where your flight should land first.
Morocco’s been ahead of the game for a while and it’s only getting bolder. The Noor Ouarzazate solar complex kicks out 580 MW on its own, and the Tarfaya wind farm adds another 850 MW. Not too shabby.
But Morocco isn’t stopping there. The country wants at least half its power from renewables by 2030. And beyond that? Think green hydrogen, massive hybrid storage projects, and a national energy roadmap that’s ambitious but refreshingly grounded in reality.
Kenya is quietly killing it. More than 80% of its electricity already comes from renewables, mostly geothermal (almost 50%), with solid contributions from wind, solar, and hydro. The Olkaria geothermal complex alone pumps out over 700 MW. Lake Turkana Wind? Another 310 MW.
They’re also hosting the Africa Climate Summit now, which isn’t just about photo ops. There’s a $40 billion plan on the table for green infrastructure. Rural areas? They’re getting lit up (literally) by solar mini-grids. If you’re in clean energy, Kenya deserves your full attention. Business opportunities in Africa are going to boom!
Ever heard of the Benban Solar Park? It’s in Egypt, and it’s one of the largest on Earth, 34 solar plants, 1.65 GW, and a carbon reduction tally in the millions of tonnes.
On the wind side, the Red Sea coast is buzzing, Gabal El-Zeit is one of many wind projects aiming to hit 2 GW. Egypt wants 42% of its energy mix from renewables by 2035 (some say even sooner). Add in plans to become a green hydrogen hub and you’ve got a country building its future at full speed.
Hydropower is Ethiopia’s crown jewel, no question. Around 90% of its electricity comes from it. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is the continent’s juggernaut, clocking in at over 6,000 MW when fully operational.
But they’re diversifying too, solar, wind, geothermal are all in the mix. Tulu Moye’s geothermal project is set for 150 MW by 2025, and solar’s being scaled to hit 500 MW by 2030. Ethiopia’s playing the long game: full electrification, cross-border energy exports, and green growth at scale.
Here’s one to watch: Zambia. In June 2025, they launched the Chisamba Solar Plant, 100 MW, $100 million. That’s a big deal. It’s lighting up thousands of homes and powering the country’s mining backbone.
Zambia’s aiming for 1,000 MW of solar capacity by 2025. It’s a clear shift away from overdependence on hydro. If you’re looking for an early-stage market with strong fundamentals, this is it.
Senegal has pushed renewables to 21% of its power mix, with a goal of 40% by 2030. Offshore wind potential? Huge. Try 45 GW of technical capacity.
Djibouti is eyeing full renewable reliance by 2030. Its Ghoubet Wind Power Station (60 MW, $122M) is already online.
Tunisia is on track for 30% renewables by 2030, with solar parks and coastal wind farms gaining momentum. These countries may not have the biggest headlines, but they’ve got the right ingredients.
Nigeria is moving the needle. Sure, as of early 2025, renewables only made up about 22% of its power mix. But the pace is picking up.
A $200 million partnership with WeLight is rolling out 400 mini-grids and 50 MetroGrids, potentially electrifying up to two million people. The DARES program already delivered over 125 hybrid micro-grids and more than a million solar home systems. That’s not just infrastructure, it’s over 5,000 new green jobs.
The goal? 30 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. Ambitious, yes, but not out of reach.
Let’s put the pieces together.
Clean energy investment in Africa ballooned from under $17 billion in 2019 to almost $40 billion by 2024. And here’s the kicker, over half of all foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2023–24 went into renewables. That’s about $83 billion since 2019.
Public finance? Barely budged. Private capital is doing the heavy lifting, and governments are meeting them halfway with smart policies: stable power purchase agreements, streamlined procurement programs, clear incentives, and a refreshing openness to global investors.
You’re not just betting on solar panels or wind farms.
You’re buying into something much bigger, economic transformation. You’re looking at fintech-powered mini-grids in Nigeria. Green hydrogen pipelines in Namibia. Mega-dams in Ethiopia. Rooftop solar systems popping up in underserved villages.
Start your research with the front-runners: South Africa, Morocco, Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia. Then look at rising stars like Zambia, Nigeria, Senegal, Djibouti.
Frame your value around what matters locally: jobs, electrification, skills, stability. Be the partner who helps governments deliver on clean energy promises. Expect to work with climate funds, development finance institutions, and national utilities.
Africa’s not just part of the green revolution, it’s rewriting the whole narrative.
Countries like South Africa, Morocco, Kenya, Egypt, and Ethiopia aren’t just checking boxes. They’re building entire ecosystems. Meanwhile, nations like Zambia and Nigeria are catching up fast with some real momentum behind them.
So if you’re still waiting? Might be time to stop watching and start dialing in. Because the future isn’t coming.
It’s already here.
Disclaimer:
The information presented in this blog is based on publicly available sources and reports from reputable publications, international organizations, and official government data as of 2024–2025. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and relevance, readers are advised to independently verify facts and figures before making investment or business decisions. Energy statistics and project details may change over time due to policy shifts, technological advancements, or updated data releases. This content is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.
Sources:
https://ndcpartnership.org/knowledge-portal/good-practice-database/south-africas-renewable-energy-independent-power-producer-procurement-programme (South Africa REIPPPP, US $16B, 5 243 MW)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_Energy_Independent_Power_Producer_Procurement_Programme (South Africa REIPPPP, ~US $17.3B, 123 projects)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211467X25001154 (South Africa investments >US $20B)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy_in_Kenya (Kenya electricity mix, geothermal, wind, hydro, solar)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_in_Kenya (Kenya renewable sources ~60%, geothermal ~943 MW)
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/25/our-contribution-to-a-cleaner-world-how-kenya-found-an-extraordinary-power-source-beneath-its-feet (Kenya geothermal ~988 MW, 47% share; renewables ~91%)
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/geothermal-energy-africa-kenya-renewable-electricity (Kenya geothermal nearly half energy production)
https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2022/12/country-case-kenya-taps-the-earth-heat (Grid up to 95% renewables on good days)
1. Which African country leads in renewable energy capacity?
Right now, it’s a close race, but Kenya is way out in front in terms of percentage. Around 80–90% of Kenya’s electricity comes from renewables, and a big chunk of that is geothermal. South Africa, on the other hand, leads in absolute numbers when it comes to private-sector investment and large-scale solar and wind capacity. So, it depends how you measure it, Kenya is the cleanest, South Africa has the most megawatts in motion.
2. What country is leading in green energy?
Depends on what angle you’re coming from. If you’re looking at policy, investor confidence, and overall infrastructure growth, South Africa takes the crown. But if you’re talking percentage of clean energy in the grid? Kenya is hard to beat. And then there’s Morocco, charging ahead with solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects like it’s building the energy future from scratch. In short: Africa has a few leaders, each in their own lane.
3. What are the major clean energy projects in Africa?
Plenty. But a few names stand out.
4. Which African country has the most natural resources in the world?
If you’re talking raw numbers, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) tops the list. It’s packed with minerals, cobalt, copper, diamonds, you name it. But if you mean energy-specific resources like sunshine, wind, water, and geothermal heat? Countries like Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, and Ethiopia have rich, untapped renewable potential. It’s not always about what’s underground anymore, it’s what you can do with the sun above you.
5. How is Morocco’s Noor Solar Complex powering Africa’s solar future?
The Noor Solar Complex is Morocco’s showpiece and honestly, one of the world’s best examples of solar done right. It cranks out 580 MW on its own and uses concentrated solar tech to store energy, which means it can deliver power even after sunset. It’s not just lighting up Moroccan homes—it’s proving that large-scale solar is possible in Africa, at scale, with real impact. And with Morocco targeting 50% renewables by 2030, Noor is just the beginning.
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