Solar

Côte d’Ivoire shortlists developers for 200MW of solar backed by 66MWh of storage

Developers have been shortlisted for two 100MWp solar plants at Dabakala and Niakaramandougou, each paired with 33MWh of battery storage, under 25-year independent power producer concessions. The procurement sits inside a national target of 45% renewables in the electricity mix by 2030.

Nag Hammadi’s 2GW solar and 2,000MWh battery, priced in Egyptian pounds

Egypt approved Kemet's land agreements in February for 2,000MW of solar and a 2,000MWh battery at Nag Hammadi, with the power bought in local currency. By April the state buyer had signed for four Kemet schemes due in 2027, a different model from the dollar contract behind Scatec's Obelisk.

Nigeria Distributed Renewable Energy Fund achieves commercial launch to deploy localised equity

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and Africa50 have completed the commercial launch of the $300 million Nigeria Distributed Renewable Energy Fund at the United Nations General Assembly. Backed by the World Bank Group as a founding partner, the vehicle deploys equity into domestic developers to scale mini-grids and commercial solar infrastructure.

A 3MW solar hybrid powers the University of Abuja from tomorrow

The Rural Electrification Agency commissions a 3MW solar hybrid plant at Yakubu Gowon University in Abuja on Wednesday 16 September, under Phase II of the Energizing Education Programme and with support from the World Bank Group. Joseph Tegbe, Minister of Power, performs the commissioning.

Copperbelt Energy financed 136MW at Itimpi on its own bond, without a state guarantee

Itimpi II went into service at Kitwe in May at a cost of $125.8 million, funded entirely from Copperbelt Energy Corporation's $200 million green bond. It is the largest operational solar plant in Zambia, and it was built without a sovereign guarantee standing behind the paper.

SolarAfrica completes financial close on 342MW SunCentral first phase

SolarAfrica broke ground at SunCentral in June 2024 and has now closed financing on all three facilities in a 342MW first phase between Hanover and De Aar. The R1.35 billion transmission substation built alongside them is what allows a single site to sell to many buyers rather than one.

Two of three Angolan solar sites remain uncontracted under Masdar’s 500MW southern programme

The 150MW Quipungo project in Huila province was the first site signed under Project Royal Sable, in an agreement with the state transmission company in January. The remaining two sites have no offtake in place. Completed, the programme would reach around 300,000 homes. Masdar has contracted one of the three sites in Project Royal Sable, […]

Africa’s largest solar and storage agreement awaits financial close before the year ends

Scatec signed a 25-year dollar-denominated agreement with Egypt's transmission company in January covering 1.95GW of solar and 3.9GWh of batteries. Capital expenditure, engineering scope and financing structure are still undisclosed. The company expects to close in the second half of this year.

Kariba floating solar targets October financial close on a US$400 million package

Green Hybrid Power, a vehicle established by Zimbabwe's Intensive Energy Users Group, has taken preparatory work as far as a US$4.4 million Afreximbank facility allows. Energy minister July Moyo has said he hopes to close the financing by October, with panels floating on the reservoir alongside the hydro station rather than replacing it.

Zambia solar programme awards 312MW with councils holding equity in each plant

Five contractors have twelve months to build a 2MW installation with 4MWh of storage in each of 156 constituencies, at a stated ZMW 4.3bn. Permanent Secretary Nicholas Phiri has described the ownership stake as a revenue stream for the local authorities hosting them.

Ghana starts building the first 100MW of a 1.5GW solar programme for industry

Dr Augustus Goosie Tanoh told the opening of Ghana Investment and Trade Week that construction begins in August, under a joint development agreement signed in April. The government is aggregating demand from industrial parks and inland ports to give generators guaranteed offtake.

Zambia commissions its largest solar plant as rooftops overtake the grid

Hichilema has commissioned Chisamba Phase II, taking the complex to 200MW, while Afrobarometer finds 47% of Zambian homes already sourcing power outside the ZESCO grid.

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Energy news

EXCLUSIVE: Renewable energy has become industrial policy

Vincenzia Leitich is Executive Vice President for Power and Renewables, Client Coverage at Standard Bank. Across two episodes of the Let's Talk Energy Podcast she told ENN how open access has turned mining into an anchor customer for African renewables, and why transmission rather than capital is now the binding constraint.

Clean cooking commitments pass $3.1 billion as a supply shock reaches the kitchen

New pledges of $900 million were announced on 9 July at a virtual meeting of the co-chairs, after the Nairobi summit was postponed. A new programme responds to Strait of Hormuz disruption that the IEA says affected 30 per cent of globally traded LPG.

Seriti Green signs a further R10 billion as Ummbila Emoyeni starts commercial supply

President Cyril Ramaphosa officiates at Bethal in Mpumalanga today as the first 155MW phase of Ummbila Emoyeni begins commercial supply. Standard Bank and RMB financed the R4.8 billion phase, the opening stage of a build planned to pass 900MW across seven phases.

Mining & Minerals

Sierra Leone critical minerals strategy sets the terms for processing at home

Freetown launched a five-year plan in May covering lithium, graphite, cobalt and rare earths, as mineral exports climbed to $1.3 billion. Julius Daniel Mattai, who chairs the African Diamond Producers Association this year, wants African governments negotiating as a bloc rather than one at a time.

A quarter of Rwandan households get their electricity without touching the grid

Off-grid systems accounted for 25 per cent of national connectivity against 59.6 per cent on the grid, according to Rwanda Energy Group. A results-based programme backed by the African Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank now stands at $300 million.

ENN Book Club: The Black History Month Edit

In October, Black History Month is celebrated in the United Kingdom, and in February, it is celebrated in the United States. Black History is not confined to a single month: it encompasses the past, present, and future, shaping the world we live in today. Through literature, stories, and lived experiences, we gain insight into resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of justice. In this […]

Schneider Electric – the Future is Digital

Ifeanyi Odoh, Country President East Africa, Schneider Electric, spoke to EnergyNet about the new energy landscape, sustainability, the significance of data centres for East Africa, and the importance of digital infrastructure in powering the future. What is the New Energy Landscape, and what does it mean for sustainability? The New Energy Landscape is a new […]

TAQA Arabia – Pioneering CNG Solutions for East Africa

EnergyNet spoke with Adly Kafafy, Vice President Africa & New Ventures, TAQA Arabia, to find out about Tanzania’s first integrated CNG filling station and conversion centre, the country’s new LNG Virtual Pipeline, and the role of natural gas for the future. You have launched Tanzania’s first integrated compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station and conversion […]

Nigeria licensing round opens with 40 blocks and a call for “the best bids”

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has opened its 2026 licensing round with 40 blocks onshore and offshore. Announcing it at the commission's fifth anniversary in Abuja, Commission Chief Executive Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan declared that the wait was over. Under rules adopted for this round, every bidder must disclose its beneficial owners.

Kano-Katsina 330kV line advances with its transformers already waiting on site

Nigeria's transmission company is building a 330kV substation close to the Katsina Steel Rolling Company, at the end of a Kano line it calls the largest of its kind in the country. Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe has named the Chinese contractors lined up behind the Presidential Power Initiative and the Zungeru evacuation project.

Nigeria PMI reaches 56.4, the strongest reading since February 2022

Nigeria's private sector expanded at its fastest pace in more than four and a half years in September, with the Stanbic IBTC Bank PMI rising to 56.4 from 54.3. New orders and output grew at their quickest since February 2022, while fuel costs pushed purchase prices to a three-month high.

Nigeria’s power sector bonds reach ₦1.23tn with Series 2 signed in Abuja

The Federal Government has raised ₦728.9 billion through the Series 2 issuance of its power sector bond programme, taking the total raised in nine months past ₦1.23 trillion. The money settles verified debts owed to generation companies rather than building anything new.

Mining & Minerals

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright says clean cooking is a major focus of Africa policy for the Trump administration

Washington DC | 19, March, 2026 — U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright confirmed a major Africa policy focus: partnering with African governments to create the right conditions to solve the delivery challenges associated with clean cooking across the continent. Secretary Wright told the Powering Africa Summit (PAS) 2026 in Washington D.C. on Thursday: “This […]

Mining & Minerals

Guinea and United States Strengthen Energy Partnership During Powering Africa Summit

Washington, D.C., March 19, 2026 — The Minister of Energy of the Republic of Guinea, Mr. Laye-Sékou Camara, expressed his sincere appreciation to the Government of the United States and senior members of the U.S. Administration for their continued engagement and support for Guinea’s development priorities. Minister Camara emphasized that Guinea attaches great importance to the strengthening […]

Sun Africa, EXIM and African Ministers Set Project-Focused Tone at the Powering Africa Summit in Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — 19 March 2026 — The Powering Africa Summit opened with a clear shift toward execution, as Summit Sponsor Sun Africa and senior government leaders called for bankable projects, scalable infrastructure and deeper U.S.-Africa investment ties. Adam Cortese, CEO of Sun Africa, framed energy as the backbone of industrial growth and cross-Atlantic partnership. […]

Ghana FPSO Gas Upgrade Contract Secures 600 Million Dollar Extension

Yinson Production has finalised an infrastructure modification agreement for the floating production storage and offloading asset operating in Ghanaian waters to expand technical capacity for domestic thermal plants.

Aksa Energy Delegation Finalises Revenue Compliance Framework in Accra

Senior executives from Aksa Energy's West African division have held talks with the Ghana Revenue Authority to secure a data-sharing protocol for its 370 megawatt generation pipeline.

Côte d’Ivoire shortlists developers for 200MW of solar backed by 66MWh of storage

Developers have been shortlisted for two 100MWp solar plants at Dabakala and Niakaramandougou, each paired with 33MWh of battery storage, under 25-year independent power producer concessions. The procurement sits inside a national target of 45% renewables in the electricity mix by 2030.

A 3MW solar hybrid powers the University of Abuja from tomorrow

The Rural Electrification Agency commissions a 3MW solar hybrid plant at Yakubu Gowon University in Abuja on Wednesday 16 September, under Phase II of the Energizing Education Programme and with support from the World Bank Group. Joseph Tegbe, Minister of Power, performs the commissioning.

YSDN partnership brings Damilola Hamid Balogun’s network to YES! Nigeria in November

EnergyNet has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Youth Sustainable Development Network to deliver the youth programme running alongside the Nigeria NOW! Global Investors Expo in Abuja. The Expo was launched at the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development on 6 August, with four ministries represented.

EXCLUSIVE: Three prototypes and a final product, Mpepu Energy on building turbines in Malawi

Madalitso Chimpeni has been building wind turbines in Malawi for three years. The grant he won through the Youth Energy Summit bought the generators, paid the machinists and gave him room to get it wrong. The turbines are fabricated and waiting for installation, and 120 households are the target.

Africa minigrid internship pilot to place five to ten interns inside AMDA’s own work

The Youth Sustainable Development Network and the Africa Minigrid Developers Association will run four to six week remote placements from later this year, across regulatory coordination, research, sector support and access to capital. Whether it grows depends on an evaluation neither organisation has run yet.

Pele Green Energy’s Jolene on finding your place in the energy transition

Pele Green Energy began as a drive to transform young South Africans' lives, with energy as the conduit. Speaking to ENN at AEF, Jolene Shaw of Knowledge Pele shares what nearly sixteen years has taught her, and why young entrepreneurs should find their place across the whole energy value chain.

Seriti Green’s Chabisi Motloung on the careers waiting for young Africans in renewables

Four months after leaving smelting for renewables, Seriti Green's Chabisi Motloung has a message for young Africans: this is where the careers are. Speaking to ENN at AEF's Youth Energy Summit, the COO makes the case for reinvention, problem-solving, and the dream of a single interconnected African grid.

Battery Storage

IPP Office Highlights Storage and Grid Expansion as Critical to South Africa’s Next Energy Growth Phase

South Africa’s energy sector is entering a new phase of its transition, with increasing attention focused on battery energy storage, transmission infrastructure and the reforms required to unlock further investment. As the country continues to expand renewable energy capacity and modernise its electricity market, questions around grid resilience, system flexibility and long-term energy security have […]

Zambia’s 2027 budget plan targets 10,000MW while eight projects build 1,315MW

Zambia's Energy Regulation Board was tracking 1,315MW of generation under construction in September, as ministries defended their 2027 spending plans in Lusaka this week. The medium-term plan behind that budget, published on 27 September, puts 10,000MW among its production targets, and comments on its Green Paper close on 9 October.

EXCLUSIVE: Sipho Phiri tells ENN there is no point in generating power you cannot move

Sipho Phiri chairs Kwama Energy, which co-developed Ilute, the Zambian solar plant he calls Africa's first non-recourse merchant power station. Speaking to ENN, he argues that generation is increasingly solved and that Southern Africa is already inside a transmission constraint, with lead times that leave very little room.

Mercuria puts $250m behind Zambian generation and transmission through Exergy

Mercuria and Exergy signed a $250 million financing agreement in Lusaka on 25 September, covering generation and transmission projects run by two Exergy subsidiaries. It is among the largest private commitments made to Zambia's power sector and the commodities group's first move into the region's electricity market.

Ambassador John Giordano, US Ambassador to the Republic of Namibia | Africa Energy Forum 2026

Ambassador John Giordano, US Ambassador to the Republic of Namibia | Africa Energy Forum 2026

Hlatse Nkune, Principal – Energy Finance, Nedbank | Africa Energy Forum 2026

Hlatse Nkune, Principal – Energy Finance, Nedbank | Africa Energy Forum 2026

Mpho Phasha, Senior Associate Power & Renewables Finance, Nedbank CIB | Africa Energy Forum 2026

Mpho Phasha, Senior Associate Power & Renewables Finance, Nedbank CIB | Africa Energy Forum 2026

Rentia van Tonder, Global Head Power & Renewables, Standard Bank | Africa Energy Forum 2026

Rentia van Tonder, Global Head Power & Renewables, Standard Bank | Africa Energy Forum 2026

The Energy Post Podcast | Green Energy Transition | Transitioning Kenya and the Region

The Energy Post Podcast | Green Energy Transition | Transitioning Kenya and the Region

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright Keynote Speech & Fireside Chat with Rajiv Shah | Powering Africa Summit 2026

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright Keynote Speech & Fireside Chat with Rajiv Shah | Powering Africa Summit 2026

Tour of Rare Earths in the Energy Transition

Mining & Minerals

Tour of Rare Earths in the Energy Transition

Tour of Critical Minerals for the Energy Transition – Andy Calitz and Mary Hemmingsen

Mining & Minerals

Tour of Critical Minerals for the Energy Transition – Andy Calitz and Mary Hemmingsen

Sarah Lane, Denham Capital | West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WAECS) 2025

Sarah Lane, Denham Capital | West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WAECS) 2025

Michael Konadu, GE Vernova | West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WAECS) 2025

Michael Konadu, GE Vernova | West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WAECS) 2025

Eunice Biritwum, Energy Commission | West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WAECS) 2025

Eunice Biritwum, Energy Commission | West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WAECS) 2025

Take a look back: aef 2019 Country Spotlight, Zimbabwe

Southern Africa

Take a look back: aef 2019 Country Spotlight, Zimbabwe

What Will It Take to Finance Africa’s Industrial Future?

Can Zambia Build Power Fast Enough for Its Next Wave of Industrial Growth?

Are Africa’s Frontier Markets Being Mispriced by Investors?

Can Private Power Markets Solve Africa’s Industrial Energy Challenge?

Maximising The Power of Regional Collaboration to Scale Up Energy Development

Is Solar Enough? Rethinking Off-Grid Energy in West Africa

DFIs, Local Capital and Financing West Africa’s Power Transition

Strategic Vision for National Electricity & Energy Policy

Youth Powering Africa’s Sustainable Future

Beyond the Grid: Financing Southern Africa’s Energy Revolution with Standard Bank