West Africa: Solar energy companies are rapidly expanding in Central and West Africa, providing electricity to some of the poorest households in regions where governments have long struggled with poor infrastructure and climate change challenges. These companies, many of them African-owned, are delivering solar-powered solutions to areas largely disconnected from the electricity grid.
Their products range from simple solar lamps that allow children to study at night to sophisticated home systems capable of powering kitchen appliances and entertainment devices like plasma TVs. Prices vary from under $20 for basic lamps to several thousand dollars for full home systems. With West Africa's electrification rate as low as 8%, according to the World Bank, over 220 million people in the region live without reliable access to power, often relying on costly and hazardous fuels like kerosene.
At the recent United Nations climate summit, global leaders committed to tripling renewable energy capacity by 2050. Although Africa contributes minimally to global carbon emissions, solar energy has emerged as a cost-effective way to electrify the continent. A report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) earlier this year highlighted the rapid progress made by small and medium-sized solar companies. However, the IEA stressed that more investment is needed to ensure that all African homes and businesses have access to electricity by 2030.
FIRST Business Portal addressing the potential of business capability of North East Region.
