A recent report also notes that the African continent makes up less than 4% of global power sector emissions despite representing 19% of the global population.
The growth rate of solar generation reached a six-year high in 2024, up by 29%, with the share of global electricity generation from low-carbon sources being 40.9%. As reported by energy thinktank, Ember, in the Global Electricity Review 2025,global electricity demand grew by 4% last year, which was amplified by heatwaves.
Africa, however, only accounted for 3.1% of this demand. The continent also still only makes up 3.6% of global power sector emissions.
The report adds that “data for 2024 reveals a considerable rise in solar exports to the Middle East and Africa–two of the world’s sunniest regions that have historically had very low levels of installed capacity. In both regions, imports of solar panels have tripled in the last two years”.
South Africa imported 3.8 GW of solar panels in 2024; this is following “a record-breaking 2023 when 4.3 GW were imported as consumers turned to the technology amid rising blackouts”. Nigeria and Morocco imported 1.3 GW and 1.1 GW respectively, which reportedly marks the first time that either country has imported more than 1 GW in a single year.
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“Over the last five years, 99 countries have doubled the amount of electricity they produce from solar power. This includes emerging economies such as South Africa, countries with the largest power systems in the world such as China and the United States and countries with the highest shares of solar power in their electricity mix such as Hungary and Spain.”
According to the Africa Market Outlook for Solar PV 2025–2028, published in March, in partnership with RMI and supported by GET.invest, 2.4 GW of new solar capacity was installed on the continent last year.
“By 2028, the continent is expected to install an additional 23 GW of solar–more than doubling its current capacity,” the outlook states.
“This growth is still a fraction of the immense solar potential in Africa, and it is essential to tap into this resource to meet global climate goals and the tripling of renewables target.”
The Ember report, which analyzes electricity data from 215 countries, including the latest 2024 data for 88 countries representing 93% of global electricity demand, as well as estimates for 2024 for all other countries, further indicates that South Africa forms part of the top three countries in the world with the highest share of coal power in 2024 at 82%, behind only Kosovo at 92% and Mongolia at 86%.
However, the country’s cabinet has approved the South African Renewable Energy Master (SAREM) Plan in March, which aims to increase the pace of the rolling out of renewable energy projects, create jobs and expand local manufacturing, foster industrial development through localization and support a just energy transition, amongst others.
Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa welcomed the approval, stating: “The South African Renewable Energy Master Plan is not just a blueprint for green industrialization; it is a pathway to a more sustainable and equitable future for all South Africans.
“We have a unique opportunity to lead in the global renewable energy and battery storage landscape, creating jobs and fostering economic growth while protecting our environment.”
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