Solar firms are rapidly growing in Africa, providing affordable and sustainable energy solutions to regions with low electrification rates. Easy Solar — one of the key solar companies — has brought power to over a million people in Sierra Leone and Liberia, thereby addressing critical energy needs.
Solar Firms Leading Growth in Africa
Solar firms are emerging as some of the fastest-growing companies in Africa. The continent has long struggled with infrastructure challenges, especially in providing access to electricity. Millions of Africans live without access to a reliable power source, relying on expensive and dangerous fuels like kerosene.
In 2023, several solar firms gained recognition for their rapid growth. These companies primarily operate in Central and West Africa — regions with some of the lowest electrification rates in the world. In West Africa, the World Bank reports that electrification rates are as low as 8%.
One of the key solar firms recognized in 2023 is Easy Solar, a locally owned company that serves Sierra Leone and Liberia. Founded in 2016 by Nthabiseng Mosia and her U.S. classmate, Easy Solar has brought power to more than one million people in these two countries.
Innovating Affordable Solar Products
Mosia — who grew up in Ghana and experienced frequent power cuts — saw an opportunity to address Africa’s energy challenges while attending graduate school in the U.S. With little competition in the solar sector at the time, she decided to launch Easy Solar.

Easy Solar's pilot in Songo ignited demand, now lighting homes across Sierra Leone and Liberia with affordable solar solutions.
The firm started with a pilot project in Songo — a village near Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital. Initial uptake was slow, but once villagers saw their neighbors' homes illuminated at night, demand grew quickly.
Today, Easy Solar operates in all 16 districts of Sierra Leone and in seven of nine counties in Liberia. The company’s product offerings range from affordable solar-powered lamps — which allow children to study at night — to more elaborate home systems capable of powering kitchen appliances and entertainment systems.
Prices vary, starting at less than $20 for basic lamps and rising to thousands of dollars for full home setups. As Mosia put it, "We really want to go to the last mile deep into the rural areas."
Altech: Expanding Solar Access in Congo
Altech — a fast-growing solar company in the Democratic Republic of Congo — was founded in 2013 by Congolese natives Washikala Malango and Iongwa Mashangao. The company provides solar solutions in a country where less than 20% of the population has electricity and currently operates in 23 of Congo's 26 provinces, while aiming to cover the rest by the end of 2023.
Malango and Mashangao fled conflict in Congo as children and grew up in a Tanzanian refugee camp. Their experience living without electricity and relying on kerosene for light inspired them to start Altech. The company has sold over one million solar-powered products, ranging from basic lighting solutions to full home systems and generators.
Solar companies like Easy Solar and Altech provide more than just light — they also offer safety. Before solar products became available, many households relied on candles and kerosene, both of which posed fire risks.
In Songo, resident Haroun Patrick Samai reflected on the impact, saying, "We have long forgotten about kerosene." Thanks to solar power, these communities are not only safer but also more connected to the modern world.
Solar Firms Leading the Charge for Change
The success of solar firms like Altech and Easy Solar reflects the increasing demand for affordable, renewable energy solutions across Africa. Solar power is helping to address a critical need while also offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional fuels.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), small and medium-sized solar companies are making significant progress in reaching homes across Africa. However, the IEA also notes that more investment is needed to ensure universal access to electricity by 2030.
The growth of solar firms in Africa is not just about business success. It’s about changing lives. These companies are providing affordable power to some of the world’s poorest communities, helping children study at night, enabling families to cook safely, and giving businesses the electricity they need to thrive.