Across Central and West Africa, a new wave of companies is bringing the life-changing power of solar energy to some of the world’s poorest homes. This surge in solar businesses is happening on a continent where governments have long struggled to provide reliable electricity, leaving millions living in darkness.
These companies, often African-owned, are filling the void by offering innovative solar solutions. They provide everything from simple solar-powered lamps that allow children to study at night to more elaborate home systems powering kitchen appliances and even plasma televisions. Prices range from under $20 for a basic lamp to thousands for comprehensive home systems.
The need for solar power in these regions is immense. In West Africa alone, a staggering 220 million people live without access to electricity, according to the World Bank. This lack of power forces many to rely on expensive and dangerous kerosene, filling homes with fumes and posing a constant fire risk.
The United Nations has set a global goal of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2050, and solar energy has emerged as a cost-effective solution for Africa. The International Energy Agency recognizes the rapid progress made by small and medium-sized solar companies, but emphasizes the need for increased investment to reach every African home and business by 2030.
Among the fastest-growing companies on the continent is Easy Solar, a Sierra Leonean-based firm that has brought solar power to over a million people in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Co-founder Nthabiseng Mosia, who grew up in Ghana experiencing frequent power outages, was inspired to tackle Africa’s energy challenges while studying in the United States.
Easy Solar’s impact is undeniable. They have established a network of agents and shops across Sierra Leone and Liberia, connecting communities to reliable electricity for the first time. In Songo, a community outside Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown, residents like Haroun Patrick Samai have seen their lives transformed. “We have long forgotten about kerosene,” he says. “Before Easy Solar we lived in constant danger of a fire outbreak from the use of candles and kerosene.”
Another rapidly growing solar company is Altech, based in Congo. The company’s co-founders, Washikala Malango and Iongwa Mashangao, experienced firsthand the challenges of living without electricity in refugee camps. They launched Altech in 2013 to provide a solution. Now operating in 23 out of 26 provinces in Congo, Altech has sold over 1 million solar-powered products, bringing light and opportunity to millions.
These companies are not just providing electricity, they are transforming lives. They are creating jobs, empowering communities, and building a brighter future for Africa, one solar panel at a time.
