Companies bringing solar power to some of the poorest homes in Central and West Africa are now among the continent’s fastest-growing enterprises. These often locally-owned firms are thriving where governments have struggled to provide infrastructure and address climate change, offering hope and electricity to millions disconnected from the national grid.
These companies, which include those owned by Africans, provide solar power to areas where the vast majority of people live without reliable electricity. Their products range from simple solar-powered lamps that enable children to study after dark to advanced home systems capable of running kitchen appliances and televisions. Prices vary widely, starting at less than $20 for a basic lamp and reaching thousands for full home systems.
Electrification rates in Central and West Africa are among the lowest globally. According to the World Bank, over 220 million people in West Africa alone live without power, with electrification rates as low as 8 percent. Many are left to rely on expensive and hazardous fuels like kerosene, which fill homes with toxic fumes and present serious fire risks.
At the last United Nations climate summit, global leaders agreed to aim for tripling renewable power capacity by 2050. Although Africa contributes minimally to global carbon emissions, solar energy has emerged as a relatively affordable means to extend electricity access.
The International Energy Agency reported earlier this year that small and medium-sized solar firms have made significant progress in reaching homes across Africa. However, much greater investment is needed to ensure universal access by 2030. Currently, around 600 million people across Africa—nearly half the continent’s population of 1.3 billion—lack access to electricity.
A local success story: Easy Solar
Among the companies making significant strides is Easy Solar, a Sierra Leonean firm that also operates in Liberia. Easy Solar was recently listed in the Financial Times’ 2023 ranking of Africa’s fastest-growing companies, based on revenue growth rate.
Nthabiseng Mosia, who co-founded Easy Solar, grew up in Ghana where power outages were frequent. Inspired to tackle Africa’s energy challenges, Mosia partnered with a US classmate to launch Easy Solar in Sierra Leone, which has one of the lowest electrification rates in West Africa.
‘There wasn’t really anybody doing solar at scale, and so we thought it was a good opportunity,’ Mosia told The Associated Press (AP).
Since its launch in 2016, Easy Solar has provided solar power to over a million people in Sierra Leone and Liberia, both countries having a combined population of over 14 million. The company operates through a network of agents and shops across all 16 districts in Sierra Leone and seven of Liberia’s nine counties.
Many communities have, for the first time, been connected to a stable power source. ‘We really want to reach the last mile deep into the rural areas,’ Mosia told AP.
The company began with a pilot project in Songo, on the outskirts of Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown. Initially, uptake was slow as locals were wary of the cost. However, once they saw neighbours enjoying electric light at night, more people signed on.
‘We have long forgotten about kerosene,’ Haroun Patrick Samai, a Songo resident, told AP. ‘Before Easy Solar, we lived in constant danger of fire from candles and kerosene.’
Altech: solar expansion in Congo
Another notable success story is Altech, a solar power company based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), also ranked among Africa’s fastest-growing firms. In the DRC, fewer than 20 percent of the population has access to electricity, according to the World Bank.
Altech’s founders, Washikala Malango and Iongwa Mashangao, fled conflict in Congo’s South Kivu province as children and grew up in Tanzania. Experiencing life in refugee camps where kerosene was the only source of light inspired them to launch Altech in 2013 to address power challenges in their homeland.
Today, Altech operates in 23 out of 26 provinces in the DRC and aims to expand to the remaining three by the end of the year. The company has sold over one million solar products across Congo, ranging from basic lighting solutions to appliances, home systems, and generators.
‘For the majority of our customers, this is the first time they are connected to a power source,’ Malango said.
Altech’s success has also been bolstered by a repayment system that allows them to remotely switch off power to appliances if customers fail to pay, resulting in a repayment rate of over 90 percent.
A bright future for solar power in Africa
The efforts of companies like Easy Solar and Altech reflect the transformative potential of renewable energy in Africa. With much of the continent disconnected from traditional power grids, solar energy offers a sustainable and scalable solution to bridging the energy gap.
The growth of these solar companies is not only helping to provide basic services to millions but is also contributing to Africa’s economic development. By focusing on local needs and involving local communities in their operations, these companies are creating jobs, reducing environmental risks, and providing access to opportunities that were previously out of reach.
Yet, despite the impressive progress, challenges remain. Universal access to electricity by 2030, a goal set by international agencies, will require substantial investment and support. Governments, development partners, and private investors must work together to scale up initiatives and ensure that solar power reaches all corners of the continent.
For many African countries, renewable energy is not just an environmental solution but a critical means of improving living standards, health, and economic opportunities. As companies like Easy Solar and Altech demonstrate, the potential for solar power in Africa is vast—and, crucially, achievable.
Credit: Africabriefing
