Experts from seven African countries are convening in Kampala for a high-level meeting on rising energy costs. They are exploring ways to deploy solar energy innovations to address the worsening food insecurity and lower energy costs.
The three-day summit, hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development at Sheraton Kampala Hotel, brings together officials from Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, The Gambia, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Senegal under the framework of the International Solar Alliance – ISA.
The meeting comes at a time of heightened global instability that has disrupted nearly 20 percent of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies while placing severe strain on fertiliser markets, developments that disproportionately affect import-dependent economies across Africa.
Ashish Khanna, Director General of the International Solar Alliance, underscored the urgency of the moment, linking global geopolitical tensions to rising costs and supply constraints. “With ongoing global conflicts, most countries are experiencing significant strain, both in cost and availability of critical resources. No crisis should be wasted. This is the moment to strengthen food and energy security, with solarisation of agriculture as a top priority,” Khanna said.
Recent disruptions in West Asia alone have affected roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG flows, while nearly one-third of global fertiliser trade is under pressure from supply shortages and price volatility. Officials estimate the broader fiscal shock could range between $1 trillion and $3 trillion, with Africa and parts of Asia bearing the brunt.
Unlike large-scale energy projects such as nuclear plants or utility-scale solar parks, which can take years to complete, distributed solar technologies offer faster deployment.
These include rooftop systems, solar irrigation pumps, electric mobility solutions, and heat pumps, all of which can be scaled rapidly with supportive policies.
Africa’s solar sector is already showing signs of acceleration. The continent added a record 4.5 gigawatts (GW) of new solar photovoltaic capacity in 2025, marking a 54 percent increase from the previous year. Growth was led by South Africa, Nigeria, and Egypt, though total installed capacity, estimated at between 21 and 23 GW, remains modest relative to Africa’s vast potential.
Eng. Elizabeth Kaijuka Okwenje, Assistant Commissioner for Renewable Energy, said Uganda is leveraging the summit to deepen cooperation with the International Solar Alliance and fast-track its domestic solar agenda.
“Energy underpins every value chain, from production to processing. Solar is not just an environmental solution; it is a powerful economic enabler. When farmers gain access to reliable energy, productivity rises, incomes improve, and industrial growth follows,” she said.
Uganda used the summit to formalise its partnership with the International Solar Alliance by signing a Country Partnership Framework and launching a Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) at Busitema University.
The centre is expected to serve as a regional hub for research, skills development, and innovation in solar technologies. Presiding over the signing ceremony, State Minister for Energy Sidronius Opolot Okasai outlined the government’s ambitious targets.
“Uganda aims to deploy one million solar irrigation pumps within the next decade, up from about 15,000 today. This is central to transforming rural livelihoods, particularly in a country where agriculture employs over 68 percent of the population,” he said.
The initiative aligns with Uganda’s long-term development blueprint, Vision 2040, and successive National Development Plans, which prioritise industrialisation, agricultural productivity, and universal energy access.
With approximately 12 hours of sunshine throughout the year, Uganda is well-positioned to harness solar energy as a reliable and sustainable driver of economic growth, particularly within the government’s ATMS strategy, Agriculture, Tourism, Minerals, Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Despite recent progress, Africa continues to face significant structural challenges. An estimated 600 million people across the continent still lack access to electricity, while only 4–6 percent of arable land is irrigated, leaving farmers highly vulnerable to climate variability.
Nani Juwara, The Gambia’s Minister of Petroleum, Energy, and Mines, highlighted the urgency of scaling solar irrigation. “Sub-Saharan Africa irrigates only a fraction of its arable land compared to Asia, where coverage ranges between 37 and 55 percent. Solar irrigation presents a proven pathway to boost yields, improve incomes, and strengthen food security,” he noted.
Delegates are also advancing a South-South cooperation model that encourages regional specialisation and knowledge-sharing. Countries are positioning themselves as centres of excellence in specific areas, Nigeria in mini-grids, Egypt in utility-scale solar, and Uganda in solar-powered irrigation.
Khanna pointed to India’s rapid transformation as a model for Africa, noting that the country connected over 300 million people to electricity within a decade while dramatically scaling up solar deployment, including more than 2.5 million solar irrigation pumps.
“Africa can replicate this success through cooperation, innovation, and the right policy frameworks. My vision is for the continent to follow a similar trajectory, leveraging its abundant solar resources,” he said.
The ISA, now comprising 126 member countries and headquartered in India, is supporting this transition through initiatives such as the proposed Africa Solar Facility, expected to mobilise around $200 million for risk mitigation and blended finance, as well as Centres of Excellence and AI-powered learning platforms.
Beyond policy discussions, the Kampala meeting is focused on practical outcomes. Delegates are working to develop bankable project pipelines, address financing constraints, and advance continental initiatives under the “Solarising Africa” agenda.
Field visits to solar-powered water pumping systems in Luwero, Nakasongola and Kiryandongo districts are also providing firsthand insights into implementation models and community-level impact-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com.
