Africa is in the middle of a quiet energy revolution. In the year to June 2025, African countries—excluding South Africa—imported 11.2 gigawatts of solar panels, a 60% rise on the previous year. This figure, based on Chinese customs data, is more than three times higher than just two years ago. It signals one of the continent’s fastest-moving shifts in sustainability—and one that businesses can no longer afford to ignore.
Why This Matters
For African businesses, solar is no longer an abstract environmental choice. It is a response to immediate economic realities: 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, while grid instability and diesel costs continue to weigh heavily on industries. For companies, reliable energy is about survival and competitiveness. For communities, it is about opportunity and dignity.
But energy alone is not enough. This surge brings into focus the need for transparency, accountability, and governance in how organisations adopt and integrate solar solutions. Stakeholders—investors, regulators, and communities—are demanding not only access to power, but also evidence that it is delivered responsibly.
The ESG Dimension
This is where sustainability frameworks become critical. Companies turning to solar must be able to:
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Measure and disclose their emissions reductions in line with standards such as the GRI, ISSB, or TCFD.
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Engage stakeholders by showing how access to clean power translates into jobs, resilience, and community benefit.
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Plan for lifecycle impact, including end-of-life management for solar panels to avoid repeating e-waste mistakes.
At CSR-in-Action, we have seen firsthand how companies that embed environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into energy transitions not only reduce risk but also attract investment and build long-term trust. Our work in sustainability reporting, assurance, and strategy development equips businesses to position solar adoption not as a side project, but as a cornerstone of sustainable growth.
Challenges and Opportunities
The solar surge presents clear opportunities—lower costs, reduced carbon footprints, and improved operational resilience. But challenges remain: a shortage of skilled technicians, weak grid infrastructure, and limited access to climate finance threaten to slow momentum. Addressing these requires coordinated action between business, government, and civil society.
CSR-in-Action’s experience in convening multi-stakeholder dialogues and providing independent ESG assurance places us at the centre of these efforts. We know that solutions in Africa must be context-driven—designed with local realities in mind, yet aligned with international best practice.
Beyond the Numbers
Africa holds 60% of the world’s best solar resources but accounts for just 1% of global installed capacity. The recent surge shows that this imbalance is beginning to shift. The question is no longer whether Africa will embrace solar, but how well its businesses and governments will manage the transition.
For organisations, the lesson is clear: solar adoption is not just a procurement decision, it is a governance decision. It touches reputation, investor relations, compliance, and long-term resilience. Companies that act with transparency, embed ESG principles, and engage their stakeholders will not only keep the lights on—they will lead Africa’s energy story.