Africa's industries turn to private power generation

July 10, 2025

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Egyptalum, a subsidiary of Cairo-based Metallurgical Industries Holding, has signed a deal with Norway-based renewable energy firm Scatec to develop a 1,000 MWh solar plant. This deal follows Egypt's recent approval of four private-to-private power generation plants, totalling 400 MW and serves to reduce energy-intensive industries' reliance on the grid.

  • Egypt's industrial and commercial sectors consume over half of its electricity. With post-COVID industrial growth and an increase in residential cooling demand, the government is fast-tracking private-to-private power generation to ease grid strain.

  • This trend is noticeable in many African countries. Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia have all updated their policy frameworks to support independent power generation for industrial customers.

  • Our take: Utilities face a threat of revenue loss as high-energy-consuming commercial and industrial clients depart… Read more (2 min)

Private equity steps up renewables investments

Since the start of the year, African renewables has welcomed a new fund each month. In June, the UK-based renewables company Octopus Energy launched its first Africa-focused renewables entity, starting with $60 million and targeting $250 million over three years. Among the funds launched this year, this is the smallest by capital with just 10% of the largest.

  • Data collected by Renewables Rising suggests private equity funds are increasing their presence in African renewables. So far, they have launched funds totalling more than $1 billion in 2025. This is expected to diversify funding sources and boost private sector efficiency.

  • Nonetheless, traditional lenders, such as multilateral banks and development finance institutions, continue to dominate. In June, the World Bank provided $1.5 billion to South Africa in a single deal.

  • Our take: Geopolitical stability is a major investment lever… Read more (2 min)

Renewables Rising has collected over 160 positions in the past week, with southern African firms hiring for 115 of these. East African energy firms, led by d.light, Sun King and Mkopa, are scaling off-grid energy solutions. Both Sun King and d.light have recently received funding to scale operations on the continent, particularly in pay-as-you-go solar solutions.

  • Southern African energy firms and recruitment agencies are hiring for utility-scale solar projects, with a few roles in battery storage systems. Companies dominant in the region are Scatec Solar, Mulilo, Sungrow, Globeleq and Yellow Door Energy.

  • Multilateral financing institutions in energy have been on our radar for the past three weeks. The African Development Bank has announced over 19 positions in francophone African nations. Others include Inspired Evolution and the Global Green Growth Institute.

  • Access the full list of opportunities here…(3 min)

REA-Nigeria Electrification Programme’s representatives participated in a two-day technical workshop facilitated by Sustainable Energy for All in Abuja, Nigeria

 

Events

🗓️ Attend the National Science & Technology Exhibition (Aug 5)

🗓️ Sign up for the Mauritius Energy Week event  (Aug 16)

🗓️ Participate in the African Energy Week (AEW) event (Sep 29)

Various 

🌊 Angola and Namibia push forward with the Baynes hydro plant

⚡ South Africa’s utility, Eskom, tenders for rooftop solar and battery storage

💡 Mozambique Foundation, Pemba Municipality partner for 100 solar light poles 

Seen on LinkedIn 

Anthony Akivembe, Director of Business Development at Omnivoltaic Energy Solutions, says, “Working in the distributed energy and e-mobility space across East Africa, I’ve seen firsthand how the capital often exists, but the confidence doesn’t. Confidence that policies will hold, that risks are manageable, and that local systems can deliver at scale.”