Top Battery Storage Manufacturers in Africa
On the outskirts of Cape Town, a cluster of squat white containers hums quietly unassuming but vital. Inside are lithium-ion batteries capable of powering thousands of homes. As solar and wind proliferate across Africa, battery storage has become the silent partner of clean energy.
But who’s making it all happen? From Chinese giants to homegrown innovators, battery manufacturers are racing to electrify the future of Africa, one storage unit at a time.
Market Leaders, From Global Giants to Local Innovators
BYD (China/South Africa)
BYD, a Chinese powerhouse in lithium-ion battery tech, has steadily grown its African presence. Through partnerships in South Africa and Ethiopia, BYD supplies energy storage systems for industrial, municipal, and utility-scale projects. Its “Blade Battery” is touted for its safety and long lifespan, crucial features in regions with extreme weather swings.
Tesla Africa (via partners like Rubicon Energy in SA)
Tesla doesn’t have a direct presence, but its Powerwall and Megapack units, distributed by South African firms like Rubicon, are making waves. In affluent suburbs of Nairobi, Lagos, and Johannesburg, Tesla systems are emerging as the preferred choice for off-grid living and backup energy. With software integration and sleek design, Tesla is bringing premium clean storage to the continent.
BlueNova (South Africa)
One of Africa’s best battery storage companies, BlueNova is known for rugged, locally built lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. With a focus on reliability, they’re the go-to solution for commercial farms and remote telecom towers. Their recent merger with Reutech allows for scale and added R&D capacity.
Infinity Power (Egypt)
This Egyptian renewables firm is expanding into energy storage with help from European partners. Their lithium-ion units are being deployed alongside solar megaprojects like Benban. Their expansion into battery manufacturing is seen as a cornerstone of Egypt’s green hydrogen ambitions.
Auxano Solar (Nigeria)
As Nigeria faces frequent grid collapses, Auxano Solar is assembling lithium-ion batteries in Lagos. They’re among Africa’s clean energy storage suppliers focused on affordability and localization. Their “PowerBox” solution is popular with small businesses and clinics.
Ampersand (Rwanda/Uganda)
Initially focused on electric motorcycle batteries, Ampersand is now designing modular battery swap stations and stationary storage systems. Their innovation lies in affordability and circular economy principles, reusing and recycling e-mobility batteries for grid applications.
Genius Watter (Morocco)
Based in Rabat, Genius Watter builds thermal batteries and hybrid energy storage units for the agricultural sector. In regions facing water stress and erratic energy, their systems allow solar-powered irrigation to run reliably through cloudy days.
CATL (through distribution partners)
CATL’s presence in Africa is indirect but rising. With local partners in Kenya and South Africa, the Chinese battery behemoth supplies containerized battery units for utility projects. These modular units are helping stabilize mini-grids in rural areas.
Solar MD (South Africa)
This Cape Town-based firm is climbing the ranks fast, specializing in wall-mounted battery systems for homes and SMEs. Their data integration, remote monitoring features, and modular design make them a darling of residential installers.
Metair (South Africa/Kenya/Nigeria)
Metair, originally an automotive battery company, has diversified into lithium-ion solutions. With manufacturing facilities in Kenya and Nigeria, it provides hybrid storage for microgrids and telecom infrastructure.
Where the Battery Race is Heating Up
South Africa, Africa’s Storage Powerhouse
South Africa leads the continent in battery storage deployments, thanks to frequent load-shedding and a strong manufacturing base. Government programs and private solar adoption have fueled demand. Local companies like BlueNova and Solar MD have risen to meet both household and industrial needs.
Nigeria, Powering Through Instability
With over 200 million people and a grid that often fails, Nigeria’s battery market is booming. The government’s solar-home-system push has opened doors for local assemblers like Auxano and global tech partnerships.
Egypt, Storage for the Sun Belt
Egypt’s energy strategy includes becoming a renewable export hub. Battery storage is a key component, especially for stabilizing solar output at night. Projects in the Western Desert and Suez Corridor increasingly include battery backup.
Morocco, Strategic Gateway to Europe
Morocco’s storage ambitions go hand-in-hand with its green hydrogen vision. With European co-financing, Morocco is testing vanadium redox flow and large lithium-ion systems for solar farms like Noor Ouarzazate.
Also read: How Did a Remote Senegalese Village Replace Diesel Generators with Solar Power
What’s Inside Africa’s Batteries?
Lithium-ion Still Reigns
Most lithium-ion battery makers in Africa use variations like LiFePO4 for their stability, long cycle life, and relative safety. They’re ideal for hot environments and frequent cycling, both common in African applications.
Sodium-ion and Flow Batteries on the Horizon
Companies like CATL and BlueNova are experimenting with sodium-ion, cheaper, safer, and free from cobalt or lithium constraints. Meanwhile, flow batteries are being piloted in Morocco and Egypt due to their long-duration potential and scalability.
Second-Life Batteries
Ampersand and others are also exploring battery reuse, repurposing EV batteries for stationary storage. It’s a sustainability bonus and makes storage more affordable for low-income areas.
Future Growth & Export Potential
Africa’s battery industry isn’t just about import and assembly anymore. Countries like South Africa and Morocco aim to become export hubs for green technologies. South Africa’s Department of Trade is already pushing for a “Battery Manufacturing Masterplan,” while Morocco’s strategic minerals and EU partnerships could make it a key player in battery exports to Europe.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that Africa will need at least 15 GWh of storage by 2030 to support its renewable energy targets. That’s a tenfold increase from today.
A Human Story, Batteries Behind the Beadwork
In a small town outside Nairobi, 35-year-old Mary Wanjiru runs a beadwork business from her solar-powered home. When rolling blackouts once halted her production for hours, a $400 lithium-ion battery changed her life. “Now, I can work all day and night. I even charge my neighbors’ phones,” she says, smiling under her solar-lit porch.
Stories like Mary’s capture the quiet revolution unfolding across the continent—where clean energy storage isn’t just about climate goals, but dignity, productivity, and empowerment.
