Solar power is not just lighting homes; it’s illuminating futures, powering economies, and reshaping communities. With over 600 million Africans still lacking access to electricity, the rise of off-grid solar solutions offers a beacon of hope for sustainable development across the continent.
Over the past three years, off-grid solar systems have electrified approximately 70 million people worldwide, with a significant concentration in Africa. This surge is part of a broader movement that has seen the off-grid solar industry grow into a $1.75 billion annual market, serving 420 million users globally.
In Kenya, for instance, the government has deployed about 62 mini-grids, with 28 more under construction, aiming to bridge the energy access gap and achieve universal electricity access by 2030.
Solar power is transforming the continent in the following ways:
1. Economic Empowerment and Job Creation
The impact of solar electrification extends beyond illumination. In Nigeria, the deployment of over 80 solar mini-grids under the Nigeria Electrification Project has transformed rural life, enhancing electricity access for 32,000 households, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and public facilities.
The off-grid solar sector has become a significant employment generator. As of 2019, it supported approximately 370,000 full-time equivalent jobs across East, West, and Central Africa, with 56% of these jobs based in rural areas. With continued investment and supportive policies, the sector could create up to 1.3 million jobs by 2022, including 350,000 jobs for women.
2.Empowering Women and Communities
Solar initiatives are also empowering women, who often bear the brunt of energy poverty. In Zanzibar, the “Solar Mamas,” a group of women trained by Barefoot College, have installed solar power systems in nearly 1,858 homes since 2015.
These women, many of whom had limited education and job opportunities, are now skilled solar technicians, challenging gender norms and contributing to their communities’ development.
In rural Mali, women like Fatou, a shea butter producer, have doubled their income by utilizing solar-powered equipment, enabling them to process and package products more efficiently.
Read Also: How Renewable Energy is Powering Better Healthcare in Rural Africa
3.Health and Education Advancements
Access to reliable electricity has profound implications for health and education. In Kenya, the Scottish charity Kids Operating Room has introduced solar kits capable of powering operating theatres for eight hours in darkness, ensuring uninterrupted surgical procedures and reducing reliance on costly diesel generators.
In the realm of education, organizations like Little Sun have provided clean power and light to over 3.2 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, enabling 58 million additional study hours for children. This access to lighting extends learning opportunities and improves educational outcomes.
4.Environmental and Economic Benefits
The environmental impact of off-grid solar solutions is significant. Since 2007, companies like d.light have helped avoid 38 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions by providing clean and affordable power to 30 million homes across 72 countries.
Their pay-as-you-go model has been instrumental in expanding access in countries like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Nigeria.
The commercial opportunity for off-grid solar power in Africa is estimated at $24 billion per year, highlighting the sector’s potential for economic growth and development.
The biggest challenge is:
Despite the progress, challenges remain. The World Bank estimates that powering 380 million people in Africa by 2030 will require the construction of over 160,000 mini-grids at a cumulative cost of $91 billion. At the current pace, only around 12,000 new mini-grids serving 46 million people will be built by 2030, necessitating accelerated efforts and increased investment.
