Africa is emerging as a dynamic region for battery energy storage (BESS), propelled by chronic electricity shortages and the rapid expansion of renewable energy. Load shedding and frequent blackouts have intensified in several countries due to ageing power plants, insufficient generation capacity and geopolitical disruptions. According to the market study Africa Market Outlook from Global Solar Council, Ghana’s loss of 300 megawatts (MW) of gas supply from Nigeria triggered a three-week blackout in late 2024. This illustrates the urgency of deploying reliable backup and grid-stabilizing solutions.
An economically relevant sector for the deployment of BESS is the mining industry, especially in Eastern Africa.
The opportunity to pair solar with battery storage is becoming increasingly attractive, stabilizing decentralized systems and improving energy security. The increasing number of mini-grid and behind-the-meter systems is boosting Africa´s BESS market. Mozambique’s 3 MW PV + BESS tender launched in September 2024, aiming to implement four lots of mini-grids, reflects the exponentially rising demand for storage across the continent, as governments and companies seek to mitigate power shortages and counter escalating electricity costs.
According to a market study by market intelligence agency Mordor Intelligence, the market is also seeing substantial investment in local manufacturing capacity. Mordor Intelligences states that in December 2023, Nigeria signed a 150 million US dollar agreement with China to build a lithium-ion battery factory, while ReElement Technologies and Afrivolt agreed in February 2024 to develop a closed-loop battery and EV manufacturing ecosystem in Africa. These developments aim to reduce import dependency and foster a competitive regional battery industry.
Battery storage offers multiple applications: grid-connected utility projects, commercial and industrial backup solutions, and off-grid systems supporting rural electrification. Companies can protect themselves against unreliable supply and rising tariffs. However, high financing costs, infrastructure limitations and regulatory uncertainty remain key barriers to large-scale deployment, similar to challenges seen in Africa’s solar sector.
You can finde more Information about Africa´s battery storage market at Intersolar Africa