February 22 — Cairo: Egypt ranked third among Africa’s top solar energy markets in 2025 after installing 500 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic solar capacity, according to a statement released by the Cabinet’s Information and Decision Support Centre (IDSC), citing data from the World Energy Council.
The IDSC reported that Africa’s economy grew by 3.9 percent in 2025, with the continent’s top 10 solar-producing countries accounting for approximately 90 percent of new solar installations. Together, these nations added around 4.5 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity during the year as part of broader efforts to reach a renewable energy target of 300 GW by 2030.
South Africa led the rankings with approximately 1.6 GW of newly installed solar capacity, followed by Nigeria with 803 MW. Egypt ranked third with 500 MW, while Algeria followed with 400 MW. Projections indicate that Africa will add approximately 31.5 GW of new solar capacity by 2029.
Egypt’s energy sector has been identified as one of five key pillars in the country’s economic development strategy, which aims to increase real GDP growth to 7.5 percent by 2030 and generate approximately 1.5 million new jobs.
Improving the national electricity grid has also become a major priority as demand continues to increase. Egypt plans to boost electricity sector output to EGP 655.6 billion during the 2025/2026 fiscal year, expand electricity access to 99.8 percent nationwide, and increase annual electricity generation to 235 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), compared to 229 billion kWh recorded two years earlier.
To ensure reliable power supply and maintain grid stability ahead of summer 2026, the government intends to add 3,000 MW of solar power capacity along with 600 MW of battery storage. This will increase the country’s total battery storage capacity to 1,100 MW.
These efforts form part of Egypt’s broader strategy to strengthen its electricity infrastructure, increase renewable energy’s share to at least 42 percent of total power generation by 2030, and establish Egypt as a regional center for energy exchange.
Egypt is also advancing several major renewable energy projects, including the Obelisk solar power plant in Nagaa Hammadi, valued at $600 million. The project is supported by multiple international financing institutions, including $150 million from the European Investment Bank, $160 million from the African Development Bank, and over $100 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
