The global boom in solar — with or without the US - Financial Times

The global renewable energy landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation, with solar capacity expanding at record pace across developing markets—a trend largely decoupled from the political uncertainties surrounding American energy policy. For European investors and entrepreneurs operating across Africa, this decoupling presents both a strategic advantage and an urgent call to action. The fundamental driver behind this shift is straightforward: solar technology costs have collapsed by over 90% in the past decade, making distributed solar generation economically competitive with traditional grid infrastructure across much of the African continent. This cost revolution has democratized energy access in ways that conventional utility investments never could, particularly in regions where grid extension remains prohibitively expensive. Africa currently accounts for less than 2% of global solar capacity despite possessing 60% of the world's best solar resources. This dramatic gap represents the continent's most significant infrastructure opportunity. While American policy uncertainty—including potential tariff changes and subsidy restructuring—dominates headlines, it has minimal direct impact on African solar deployment. In fact, reduced American competition for manufacturing and supply chain dominance could benefit European and Asian investors positioning themselves for African market entry. The continental context matters critically here. The African Union's Agenda 2063 and various national renewable