Africa's wind story is no longer about potential. It is becoming a story of execution.
Overview
Three years after GWEC published the first Status of Wind in Africa report, the continent has surpassed 11 GW of installed wind capacity, up from just under 9 GW in 2023. Morocco has joined South Africa and Egypt as Africa's third market to exceed 2 GW of installed wind power, while Egypt is constructing the continent's first gigawatt-scale wind farm. At the same time, South Africa's corporate power market has driven record wind procurement, demonstrating the growing role of private sector demand in accelerating deployment.
Despite this progress, Africa's wind industry remains highly concentrated. Nearly 90% of installed capacity is located in just three countries, while some of the continent's strongest wind resources remain largely untapped. Less than 0.02% of Africa's technical wind potential has been developed, highlighting the significant opportunity that lies ahead.
The report explores how leading markets have overcome barriers through stable procurement frameworks, bankable contracts, grid investment, local financing solutions, and policy reforms. It shows that growth is not dependent on perfect conditions, but on creating the institutional and market foundations that enable investment and scale.
As Africa looks toward the next phase of development, the report outlines the actions needed to unlock growth from 11 GW to 50 GW and beyond, ensuring wind energy delivers affordable electricity, industrial development, jobs, and energy security across the continent.
Key Points
- Africa's installed wind capacity has surpassed 11 GW, up from just under 9 GW when the first report was published in 2023.
- Morocco has become the third African market to exceed 2 GW of installed wind capacity, joining South Africa and Egypt.
- Egypt is developing Africa's first gigawatt-scale wind farm, signalling a new era of utility-scale deployment.
- South Africa's corporate power market has accelerated wind procurement, with private buyers signing more wind contracts in two and a half years than the government procured in the previous fifteen.
- Nearly 90% of Africa's installed wind capacity remains concentrated in three countries, underlining the need for broader market expansion.
- Less than 0.02% of Africa's technical wind potential has been developed, leaving vast resources untapped across the continent.
- Leading markets demonstrate that successful wind development is driven by policy certainty, bankable contracts, grid expansion, and access to finance.
- The pathway to 50 GW of wind capacity will depend on stronger institutions, reliable procurement programmes, transmission investment, local currency financing, and growing industrial demand for clean power.
- Africa is moving from a narrative of resource potential to one of delivery and execution, creating new opportunities for economic development and energy security.
Media Inquiries
Alex Bath
Communications Director
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alex.bath@gwec.net