Africa’s battery storage capacity projected to reach 10GW in 2026

**CHAMWE KAIRA **

Africa’s installed battery energy storage capacity is projected to reach 10 gigawatts (GWac) in 2026, representing a 307% increase, as the continent seeks to expand electricity access while balancing energy security, affordability and emissions reduction.

The projection is contained in the newly released TotalEnergies Energy Outlook 2026, which highlights Africa’s growing role in the global energy transition despite persistent electricity access challenges.

The report notes that approximately 4.8 billion people globally lack sufficient access to energy, with the deficit heavily concentrated in developing regions, particularly Africa.

Africa has the lowest primary energy demand per capita and remains below the energy access threshold associated with strong human development.

The report identifies a minimum energy consumption level of approximately 70 gigajoules per capita as necessary to support higher levels of human development.

Battery storage installations across Africa are currently dominated by behind-the-meter and off-grid systems, although the integration of batteries with solar power generation is increasing.

The report says the continent is developing diversified decarbonisation pathways, reflecting differences in national energy resources, infrastructure and development requirements.

Globally, the energy transition is increasingly being shaped by energy security concerns following geopolitical disruptions, including the 2022 Ukraine crisis and the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis.

These developments have pushed governments to place greater emphasis on energy sovereignty and domestic energy supplies, including renewable energy sources.

The outlook highlights that there is no single pathway to decarbonisation, with countries continuing to rely on their respective energy resources.

The United States is expected to maintain a role for oil and gas, while coal remains important in China and India.

Despite the growing adoption of low-carbon technologies, global energy demand is expected to continue increasing as countries seek to improve living standards and expand access to electricity.

The report indicates that low-carbon energy sources could account for nearly half of additional energy demand growth across non-OECD regions over the next decade.

Investment in low-carbon energy technologies reached US$3.26 trillion in 2025, with countries heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels directing increasing capital towards domestic renewable energy development.

Rising fossil fuel prices and concerns about supply security have also accelerated the adoption of clean technologies, including electric vehicles, solar photovoltaic systems and biofuels.

However, the expansion of these technologies faces infrastructure constraints, particularly inadequate electricity grids and insufficient battery storage capacity.

The report identifies investment in electricity networks and storage infrastructure as critical to integrating renewable energy into national power systems.

It also notes that the widely cited global net-zero emissions target for 2050 is increasingly considered out of reach under current energy transition trajectories.

For Africa, the central challenge remains expanding energy infrastructure to support economic development and improve electricity access while reducing long-term emissions.