Africa’s top employer taps renewables to unlock growth

September 07, 2025

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Africa’s agricultural sector employs more than 60% of the population and contributes up to 40% of GDP in some countries. Yet, this powerhouse consumes barely 2% of Africa’s total electricity, relying heavily on outdated fossil fuel-based technologies. The launch of the Agri-Energy Coalition this week marks a critical moment to change this imbalance.

  • The coalition brings together leading organisations from the agriculture, energy, and development sectors to deliver sustainable and scalable solutions that transform food systems through integrated energy access.

  • Demand for energy in agriculture may double by 2030, with agro-processing alone accounting for about 6 GW of total potential demand. If harnessed well, this could eventually rival the demand created by urban electrification programs.

  • Our take: More electricity in agriculture will spur investment in logistics, cold chains and rural infrastructure… Read more (2 min)

Solar has come a long way from being a small-scale domestic solution to now meeting large industrial power needs. Today, it’s finding its way into schools, hospitals, water pumping systems, and even places of worship, Afriwatt’s CEO told Renewables Rising in an interview. Watch out! Your faith could soon be renewed with the “holy power” of the sun.

  • Afriwatt is a Kenyan-based energy company serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers. To date, the company has installed at least 3 MW of solar projects across the country.

  • The company plans to prioritise key markets that guarantee better returns."Our strategy for the next five years is to put a lot of emphasis on industries, as they provide a good flow of revenue and market expansion opportunities," said Engineer Thomas Sigowa, the CEO of Afriwatt.

  • Click here to read the full conversation… Read time (5 min)

Betty Thuku, a Kenyan entrepreneur and owner of the Solar Planet business, has been selling solar products since 2017. In an interview with Renewables Rising, she reveals trends and consumer behaviours and how they have evolved over the past few years. Firstly, customers are buying more batteries than ever due to a reduction in prices and improved quality.

  • Consumer demand for solar products in Nairobi is at an all-time high, she reveals. Many customers now rely primarily on solar home systems for their energy needs, turning to the grid only during periods of unstable weather.

  • With ongoing improvements in battery technology, Ms Thuku anticipates increased uptake of storage solutions as customers seek reliable power backup.

  • Read the full consumer spotlight here…Read more (2 min)

Solar Mtaani graduates a cohort of solar technicians in Nairobi, Kenya

Events

🗓️ Be at the Catalysing Institutional Transitions to Clean Cooking event (Sep 9)

🗓️ Attend the Energy Forum For Africa event (Sep 10)

🗓️ Sign up for the SAEEC Conference  (Oct 2)

Jobs 

👔 Become Sun King’s Area Collections Executive (Tanzania)

👩🏻‍💻 Join UpEnergy as a Finance and Operations Officer (Zambia)

👨🏻‍💼 Apply for M-Kopa’s Technical Assistant role (Uganda)

Various

⚡ Baobab+ relaunches as Izili in latest company update

💰 Shell spotlights $200 billion opportunity amid Nigeria’s energy shortfall

🤝🏾 UN and International Solar Alliance support Africa’s renewable energy drive

Seen on LinkedIn 

Mary Njuguna, Production Sync Engineer at Savanna Circuit, says, “Africa’s most renewable resource isn’t solar, wind, or hydropower. It’s human capital. The question is, are we investing in it with the same urgency?”