Africa’s sleeping power giant wakes up

June 25, 2025

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About 4,507 MW of new hydropower capacity came online in 2024, double the 2023 additions, according to a new report by the International Hydropower Association (IHA). Hydropower is (re-)emerging as a crucial component of the clean energy transition and seeing increased investment. At Least 16,000 MW of projects are currently under development.

  • Tanzania led with 1,880 MW last year, followed by Ethiopia at 1,200 MW, and Uganda at 605 MW. Morocco came fourth with 350 MW new capacity from the only pumped storage hydropower (PSH) plant in Africa that came online in 2024.

  • Small hydropower projects could help Africa connect more of the rural population that currently accounts for a large share of the unelectrified. 

  • Our take: Pumped storage hydropower has potential to reduce the impact of climate change on plant generation capacity  … Read more (2 min)

German-based energy firm Juwi has inked an agreement with global manufacturer JA Solar to supply nearly 420,000 solar panels for two large-scale projects totalling 220 MW. If sourced locally, this collaboration may transform South Africa’s manufacturing landscape by boosting local production capacity and reducing reliance on imports.

  • Across Africa, the Renewables Rising project database tracks over 14,000 MW of solar projects in different stages of development in 2025. These projects present immense opportunities for local manufacturers to supply panels.

  • Besides South Africa, manufacturing has grown across the continent. Countries such as Ethiopia, Egypt and Nigeria received funding for solar manufacturing facilities in 2025.

  • Our take: Local manufacturing will be critical in achieving energy independence, and South Africa is well aware… Read more (2 min)

June marks the first month without new policy and regulatory changes since our policy tracker began early this year. However, some previously enacted policies have now come into effect. Cape Town opened its electricity grid for private energy trading, making it the first municipality in South Africa to do so following the liberalisation of the electricity market.

  • Since February, we have tracked 29 policies and regulations across 18 African countries. The leading policy changers include South Africa (5), Kenya (4), and Nigeria (3).

  • In Kenya, the World Bank's proposal to introduce a carbon tax in the 2025 Finance Bill did not succeed.

  • Our take: African governments must develop policies with regional integration in mind… Read more (2 min)

Ruzizi III Holding Power Company Limited partners with Anzana Electric Group to advance the Ruzizi III Regional Hydropower Project in Angola

Events

🗓️ Attend Nigeria’s Annual NOG Energy Week event (Jun 28)

🗓️ Understand carbon projects: from concept to credits in Africa  (Jul 2)

🗓️ Sign up for the IFAT 2025 Africa event (Jul 8)

Jobs

👨🏻‍💼 Become Zafiri’s Managing Director (Nairobi)

🛠️ Lead construction operations at Jasbel Energy (Ethiopia)

👷🏻‍♀️ Apply for the Arc Power Operations’ Manager position (Mozambique)

Various 

⚡ Morocco targets 20,000 MW in renewable energy capacity

💸 Cameroon unveils a $12 billion plan for universal electricity access

🤝 Hydro-Link and Mitrelli collaborate on a big African power line in Angola

Seen on LinkedIn 

Al Amin Ibrahim, Co-Founder and Vice President at Phoenix Renewable Group, says, “Unlocking climate-smart and inclusive finance is the bedrock of scaling renewable energy and sustainable solutions, especially for vulnerable communities and grassroots enterprises.”