AfDB Backs Off-Grid Renewable Energy Projects in Fragile African States
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $5.65 million reimbursable grant through the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) to support off-grid renewable energy projects in fragile African states. To be piloted under a new climate finance mechanism, the initiative will launch a Peace Renewable Energy Certificate (P-REC) Aggregation Facility. It is designed to generate ‘hard-currency’ revenue for mini-grid developers by selling renewable energy certificates to corporate buyers. Co-financed with the Nordic Development Fund, the $11.3 million facility will be managed by Camco Clean Energy and Energy Peace Partners. The program will sign long-term agreements with mini-grid developers across 14 frontier countries, providing upfront funding in exchange for renewable energy certificates that will later be sold to multinational companies pursuing sustainability goals.
The initiative is expected to support 71 MW of new renewable energy capacity and deliver about 240,000 electricity connections, benefiting roughly 856,000 people in Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. AfDB says this aligns with Mission 300, which aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.
Zambia Announces PPA for Wind-Solar Hybrid Project
Zambia’s Ministry of Energy has announced a power purchase agreement (PPA) for a 100 MW hybrid wind and solar power project in the country. The PPA was signed between DZGM Energy Resources and state utility Zesco Limited. Upon completion, the facility will feed electricity generated into Zesco’s grid. The project combines both wind and solar to ensure a seamless supply of clean energy. It is part of the country’s 2024 Integrated Resource Plan, according to the ministry.
Floating Solar Power Plant in Mozambique
AfDB has approved $150 million for Mozambique to build a floating solar project on Cahora Bassa Lake. While the project will eliminate land acquisition challenges for power generation, it will also complement the existing infrastructure of Cahora Bassa Dam, the country’s primary power generation asset. Project implementation will be overseen by state-owned utility Electricidade de Moçambique. Once online, the project will be the largest floating PV facility in all of Africa, reported Further Africa.
Japan’s JCM to Support 130 MW Solar in Tunisia
The Joint Credit Mechanism (JCM), operating under Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Environment (MOE), has announced support for a 130 MW solar PV project in Tunisia. To be located in the Gabès Region, the solar facility secured JCM funding under a carbon financing program. It will be built by Japan’s Marubeni Corporation along with France’s Voltalia. The power generated will be sold to Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas (STEG).
240 MW Mooi Plaats Solar Project Comes Online
Envusa Energy, a joint venture between Anglo American and EDF Power Solutions, has launched commercial operation of the 240 MW Mooi Plaats Solar PV Project in South Africa’s Northern Cape. The project began supplying power to the national grid on March 4, 2026. Mooi Plaats is the first project in the Koruson 2 renewable energy cluster to reach commercial operation. Another 2x140 MW wind projects – Umsobomvu and Hartebeesthoek – are currently in the final stages of construction. The solar plant will supply renewable electricity to mining operations of Valterra Platinum, De Beers, and Kumba Iron Ore, stated EDF. The Koruson 2 cluster uses a portfolio wheeling model to allocate power based on the demand of participating mining operations, supporting South Africa’s broader energy transition and expanding Envusa Energy’s renewable portfolio.
