In rural Angola, a new 150 MW solar project is bringing electricity to thousands of homes that, until recently, relied on costly diesel generators or had no access to power at all.

It is a striking image of change, and one that’s becoming increasingly common across Africa. From Zambia to Mauritania, solar panels are rising and wind turbines turning, signaling a quiet revolution in the continent’s energy landscape.

But perhaps even more striking is where much of this momentum is coming from. Led by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are moving rapidly to invest in Africa’s renewable energy future. Armed with deep financial reserves, decades of energy expertise, and a clear-eyed strategy, they are extending their influence far beyond the Gulf, offering Africa not only capital but long-term partnership in the transition to clean energy.

Investment Commitments

GCC countries have pledged more than $100 billion toward renewable energy by 2030. Increasingly, that capital is finding its way to Africa, a region that is rich in solar potential, starved for electricity, and full of untapped economic promise.

For the UAE and its neighbors, investing in Africa ticks multiple boxes: economic diversification, energy security, and geopolitical influence. In doing so, these countries are moving beyond their traditional image as oil exporters. They are repositioning themselves as architects of the clean energy future, and Africa, with its vast land, growing population, and surging demand, is central to that vision.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, Africa’s current renewable capacity stands at around 70 GW which is small considering the scale of the continent. But the African Union has set ambitious goals of achieving 300 GW by 2030 and 700 GW by 2040.

With nearly 600 million people still lacking access to electricity, the urgency is clear. For Gulf investors, this is more than just a developmental challenge—it’s a market opportunity as well.

“Our commitment to Africa is grounded in both principle and pragmatism,” says Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar. “This is a continent with extraordinary renewable potential, including some of the best solar and wind resources on the planet, but it needs long-term partners willing to invest not just capital, but capability.”

“Africa’s energy future will shape the global climate future. That’s where Masdar sees its role in building real projects that deliver real impact.”

Masdar has pledged to deliver 10 GW of renewable energy capacity across the continent by 2030. Al Ramahi emphasizes that this isn’t charity but a strategic investment in sustainable growth, shared prosperity, and climate stability, adding that he believes the Gulf can and should be at the forefront of this effort.

In 2023 alone, Masdar signed deals in Angola, Uganda, and Zambia to develop 5 GW of clean energy, mostly solar and wind. These aren’t pilot projects. In Angola, for example, a 150 MW solar plant is being built to power 90,000 homes. In Zambia and Uganda, Masdar is exploring large-scale hydro and solar initiatives.

Mauritania has become a particularly interesting case. With abundant sun and wind, it’s now the site of a $34 billion green hydrogen project, a collaboration between Masdar, Egypt’s Infinity Power, and Germany’s Conjuncta.

Further north, Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power is backing a $4 billion green hydrogen plant in Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone, aiming to produce 600,000 tons of green ammonia a year. With current investments of $7 billion in total project cost across Africa, ACWA Power stands as a leading private-sector investor in renewable energy on the continent.

Meanwhile, AMEA Power, a UAE-based renewable energy developer, is rapidly expanding its African footprint. In Togo, the company built the 50 MW Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed solar power project in just 18 months, now supplying power to more than 150,000 homes. In Burkina Faso, it’s developing a 26.6 MW solar project that is expected to provide clean electricity to over 43,000 people.

AMEA Power has signed capacity purchase agreements to develop Africa’s largest solar project and Egypt’s first utility-scale battery energy storage system. Following the successful development of its 500 MW Abydos Solar PV Project, the company has been awarded two new landmark projects in Egypt: a 1,000 MW solar project paired with a 600 MWh battery storage system in the Benban area of Aswan  and a standalone 300 MWh battery energy storage system at its existing Kom Ombo site.

“Africa holds immense potential to become a global leader in renewable energy, and we see it as both a responsibility and an opportunity to be part of that transformation,” says Hussain Al Nowais, Chairman of AMEA Power.

“Our investments are designed not only to deliver clean, reliable power but to create real impact through job creation, technology transfer, and long-term partnerships. The scale of our projects reflects our belief in Africa’s future and our commitment to helping unlock that potential in a sustainable and inclusive way.”

AMEA Power is targeting 5 GW of fully operational renewable energy capacity on the African continent by 2030. To realize this target, it is mobilizing $5 billion, with $1 billion as equity commitment and $4 billion through project finance.

In 2023, it secured a $1.1 billion financial close for its 500 MW solar and 500 MW wind projects in Egypt.

Influence Beyond Energy

For the GCC, these projects are also about reach. By embedding themselves in Africa’s energy systems, they are gaining influence, shaping policy, and laying the groundwork for long-term alliances.

That influence is being applied strategically. The UAE’s ‘Etihad 7’ initiative, launched to deliver clean electricity to 100 million people across Africa by 2035, is one such vehicle. So are bilateral investment treaties, sovereign wealth fund backing, and multilateral partnerships announced at forums like COP28 in Dubai.

These instruments are helping Gulf states navigate the investment risks that have historically scared off private capital in Africa, including political instability, weak infrastructure, and currency volatility. In return, they are gaining not just financial returns but strategic clout.

According to a report from FinanceWorld, the UAE has already emerged as the fourth-largest foreign direct investor in Africa, ahead of China in several key markets. Over the past decade, it has funneled more than $59 billion into sectors ranging from infrastructure and logistics to energy and technology.

Africa offers what Gulf investors need: a fast-growing population, high solar irradiance, and proximity to Europe and Asia. According to a 2023 report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), these factors position Africa as a prime location for renewable energy investment and innovation.

But perhaps most importantly, Africa gives the GCC countries a seat at the table in the emerging global green economy. A World Bank policy brief shows that as Europe, the U.S., and Asia race to decarbonize their supply chains, countries that offer clean power, green hydrogen, and sustainable infrastructure will gain geopolitical and economic leverage. Gulf states are positioning themselves to be among these frontrunners.