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By Newz.Africa Energy Desk | Africa | 14 February 2026 | Access to electricity in Africa
Access to electricity in Africa was a central theme at the World Governments Summit in Dubai in February 2026. Hundreds of millions of Africans remain without reliable power, yet new solutions are emerging. Solar-powered micro-grids are being positioned as a practical answer to the continent’s energy dilemma.
Solar growth across Africa
Industry tracking shows that in 2025 South Africa accounted for about 46 percent of newly recorded solar capacity. Businesses, mines and households turned to solar as a survival strategy against persistent load-shedding, according to official records shared by analyst Mbilitem Franklin in January 2026. Egypt followed with 29 percent, driven by large government-backed projects.
Emerging markets such as Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Zambia each captured 3–4 percent of new capacity. Import data suggests that nearly three times the officially recorded volume of solar panels entered Africa in 2025, highlighting a significant untracked boom in commercial and residential installations.
Micro-grids as a local solution
Walid Sheta, President for Africa and the Middle East at Schneider Electric, told Africanews that interconnected grids alone cannot solve Africa’s energy challenge. He explained that the continent’s vast geography and dispersed populations make a single unified grid difficult to build and operate. Instead, smaller networks centred around towns and villages are gaining traction.
“These relatively small networks will solve the energy dilemma,” Sheta said. He noted that solar energy is the primary driver, but hybrid systems combining solar with other sources are also being deployed. According to Sheta, micro-grids are already expanding in Nigeria, Kenya and several Central African countries.
Ecosystem beyond technology
Sheta emphasised that technology alone is insufficient. “We believe that a complete ecosystem is needed – not only investors, but also appropriate regulation and access to financing,” he said. Donors and governments are supporting electrification projects, but the challenge remains to coordinate communities, businesses and policymakers.
The model is not limited to rural areas. Hotels, offices and industrial zones are also adopting micro-grids, particularly where national grids are unstable. In these cases, connecting to solar sources is often easier and more reliable.
Regional infrastructure momentum
West Africa is experiencing a wider infrastructure boom worth over US$1 trillion, with energy projects at the centre. The ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Project recently raised The Gambia’s access rate from 73 percent to 90 percent. The West African Power Pool also completed its first regional grid synchronisation trial, enhancing cross-border electricity trade.
Major projects such as the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline and the expansion of the Dangote Refinery are reshaping regional energy security. These developments align with the African Continental Free Trade Area’s goals of integration and industrialisation.
Historical context
Efforts to expand electricity access in Africa have long faced challenges of scale, cost and governance. In the 1990s and 2000s, many countries relied on centralised grids that struggled to reach rural populations. The rise of mobile technology and decentralised energy solutions in the 2010s shifted attention to smaller, flexible systems. Solar micro-grids represent the latest stage in this evolution, combining renewable energy with digital management tools.
Outlook
Micro-grids are expected to play a growing role in Africa’s energy future. They offer decentralised solutions that can be tailored to local needs, from villages to industrial zones. With supportive regulation, financing and regional cooperation, they could accelerate progress towards universal electricity access.
Primary artefact:
Social media post by Mbilitem Franklin (26 January 2026) discussing solar capacity growth in Africa, highlighting South Africa and Egypt as leaders. Africanews — Schneider Electric’s Walid Sheta on Africa’s energy future — 11 February 2026
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