Electricity access remains a challenge in Africa

Access to electricity remains a major challenge in Africa, particularly in remote rural areas far from the grid. Many people in these regions lack reliable power, which limits economic opportunities and access to basic services like healthcare and education.

Decentralized solutions offer new hope

Decentralized solutions are increasingly playing a role in addressing the electricity deficit. According to the report World Energy Transitions Outlook 2026, published in October 2026 by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), approximately 401 million people in Africa could gain access to electricity at a lower cost through mini-grids and autonomous photovoltaic units by 2030.

Investment focus on key countries

IRENA also identifies six countries where investment needs are concentrated to deploy these solutions. These include Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which have the largest population access deficits in the world. They also include Ethiopia, Niger, Sudan, and Tanzania.

Growth in off-grid renewable capacity

The agency also notes that the development of decentralized solutions is already underway on the continent, with off-grid renewable capacity increasing from 294 MW in 2014 to 1,35 GW in 2024. This growth coincides with the decline in the costs of these technologies.

Costs of mini-grids are decreasing

The cost of electricity production from mini-grids has decreased from $0.55 to $0.38 per kWh since 2018, according to data from ESMAP (Energy Sector Management Assistance Program) cited by IRENA. This makes decentralized solar more affordable and accessible for many communities.

Decentralized solar's role in future access

The importance of decentralized solar in the African context also emerges from the report Financing Electricity Access in Africa, published in October 2025 by the International Energy Agency (IEA). In its scenario for universal electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa by 2035, the IEA estimates that 55% of households currently not connected would be served by decentralized solutions, with the remainder connected to the public grid.