Angola and African energy leaders prioritize solar and mini-grid expansion

Angola has integrated solar energy transition into its national power strategy, focusing on solar, storage, and hydropower to drive industrialization and reduce reliance on diesel and heavy-fuel generation. During the International Solar Alliance (ISA) regional meeting in Zimbabwe, Angolan officials highlighted progress on major projects, including the Cafunfo and Cuango solar parks in Lunda Norte, which are nearing completion and expected to be operational by late 2026.

Broadly across the continent, the Africa Energy Indaba will address the critical need for mini-grids and decentralized energy systems to close the electricity access gap. With nearly 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa lacking power, mini-grids are viewed as a cost-effective solution. To meet the Mission 300 initiative's goal of providing electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030, experts suggest a massive scale-up in deployment and investment is required to bridge the current deficit.