1. BlueNova Energy (South Africa)
- Tech: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄)
- Known for: Rugged, reliable, and locally manufactured batteries
- Why it’s best:
BlueNova is Africa’s flagship storage brand. Their systems are built for South Africa’s harsh grid conditions and widely used in homes, schools, and industries needing backup power during load-shedding.
BlueNova has installed solar-plus-storage systems in over 120 public schools and rural clinics in South Africa’s Eastern Cape and Limpopo regions. Their systems ensure power continuity during frequent load shedding, enabling night classes and refrigerated medical storage.
2. Freedom Won (South Africa)
- Tech: High-voltage and low-voltage Li-ion systems
- Known for: Utility-scale and EV-compatible storage
- Why it’s best:
Freedom Won is known for durable, large-capacity batteries with intelligent energy management. Their systems power both rural mini-grids and EVs, making them a key player in energy resilience and electrified transport.
Freedom Won’s systems have been deployed in low-income housing developments in Cape Town through government-private partnerships. In addition, they’ve supported off-grid farming cooperatives with energy solutions that help refrigerate produce and run small-scale irrigation pumps.
3. Tesla (via certified partners in SA & Egypt)
- Tech: Powerwall, Megapack
- Known for: Premium smart storage for homes and grids
- Why it’s best:
Tesla’s Megapack deployments in South Africa and Powerwall systems in Egypt are helping stabilize fragile grids. Their systems include advanced battery management software and long life cycles.
In 2024, a Tesla partner project in Cape Town’s Mitchells Plain township installed Powerwalls in homes of chronic illness patients dependent on oxygen machines, ensuring uninterrupted power during outages. Tesla’s Megapack is also helping stabilize Cairo’s hospital grid backup system in Egypt.
4. BYD Africa
- Tech: LiFePO₄, LFP Blade battery
- Known for: Modular battery solutions, off-grid support
- Why it’s best:
A global battery leader now entrenched in Africa, BYD provides energy storage for telecom towers, homes, and remote facilities. Their LiFePO₄ tech is praised for thermal safety and deep cycle life.
In rural Morocco, BYD partnered with a local utility to equip over 200 telecom towers and off-grid homes with solar-plus-storage. This drastically improved mobile and internet access, enabling remote education and online healthcare services in underserved areas.
5. Scatec (South Africa, Egypt, Kenya)
- Tech: BESS with solar-hybrid plants
- Known for: Grid-scale battery integration
- Why it’s best:
Scatec developed the Kenhardt BESS, one of Africa’s largest solar+storage projects. Their hybrid systems deliver grid stability, helping countries transition away from fossil fuel peaking plants.
In Kenhardt, Scatec’s battery system powers over 100,000 homes and significantly reduces diesel reliance for peak electricity. Their community trust model channels profits into local water access projects, job training, and school solarization.
6. Sungrow Africa
- Tech: Modular containerized BESS
- Known for: Inverter + battery hybrid systems
- Why it’s best:
Sungrow leads in solar inverter tech and is rapidly growing its BESS market in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. Their systems are efficient, scalable, and ideal for industrial solar backup.
ZOLA has electrified over 2 million people across East and West Africa. Their battery-backed solar kits allow rural households to power lights, charge phones, and run small businesses like barbershops and mobile money kiosks, boosting local economies.
7. ZOLA Electric (Tanzania, Nigeria, Rwanda)
- Tech: Lithium-ion smart modular systems
- Known for: Smart plug-and-play storage for off-grid users
- Why it’s best:
ZOLA systems power rural homes and businesses without grid access. Their plug-and-play storage comes with software to monitor and control usage perfect for last-mile electrification.
Sungrow’s hybrid systems support agro-processing hubs in Nigeria, enabling continuous milling and cold storage without diesel. In Kenya, they’ve helped small tourism lodges in Amboseli and Tsavo parks go completely off-grid, supporting both sustainable tourism and job creation.
8. Solar MD (South Africa)
- Tech: Li-ion battery systems with advanced monitoring
- Known for: High-quality, smart commercial storage
- Why it’s best:
Solar MD’s batteries are equipped with powerful analytics and IoT tools, helping users optimize their energy use. They’re favored for schools, factories, and small towns with erratic grid supply.
Solar MD partnered with NGOs to solarize and power schools and community libraries in Soweto and KwaZulu-Natal, ensuring access to evening learning and internet connectivity even during load-shedding.
9. Alpha ESS Africa
- Tech: All-in-one hybrid BESS
- Known for: Residential and SME solar+storage
- Why it’s best:
Alpha ESS provides affordable, intelligent battery systems across South Africa and East Africa. Their systems are perfect for homes and SMEs looking to go off-grid or reduce diesel use.
In Kenya’s Kakamega County, Alpha ESS is working with solar cooperatives to install microgrids in women-run farm collectives, allowing access to refrigeration, grinding mills, and evening lighting that improves safety and productivity.
10. Chloride Exide (Kenya)
- Tech: Deep cycle lead-acid, AGM, lithium
- Known for: Decades of experience in backup power
- Why it’s best:
Chloride Exide is East Africa’s most trusted name in battery backup. Now moving into lithium, the company offers wide coverage, affordable pricing, and local service networks in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Chloride Exide has supported rural solar installations, mostly in areas where grid extension is impossible. Their “Solar4Schools” initiative has brought lighting and fans to classrooms in western Kenya, improving school attendance and retention.
What Makes a Battery Storage Company “The Best” in Africa?
- Local assembly or support – Fast service, affordable maintenance
- Thermal and environmental resilience – Operates in hot, humid, or dusty areas
- Long cycle life – Can withstand frequent charge/discharge cycles
- Smart energy monitoring – Allows users to track usage and savings
- Compatibility with solar and grid – Easy integration with inverters, PV systems
The Future of Battery Storage in Africa
With over 600 million Africans lacking reliable electricity, the demand for energy storage will skyrocket. The World Bank estimates that Africa’s battery storage market will exceed 2300 GWh by 2030. Countries like South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria, and Ghana are leading the deployment of both household and grid-scale BESS solutions.
