What is next for Solar+Storage in Africa: Launch of GSCs Africa Market Outlook 2026-2029

Tuesday, February 03, 2026

Time: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Hall: Karibu Expo Stage

Launch of our flagship report tracking the rapid rise of solar + storage across Africa. This latest edition provides a clear picture of today's market landscape and the outlook ahead-highlighting where momentum is building, what's changing, and where the next wave of opportunity lies. The report features in-depth analysis and country deep dives across 10 key markets: Egypt, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. It also explores how rooftop solar can accelerate Africa's energy transition while unlocking economic growth and job creation, and offers a dedicated chapter on scaling private finance to expand both utility-scale and distributed solar deployment. With practical policy recommendations
and an investor-focused perspective, the Africa Market Outlook 2026-2029 equips decision-makers with the insights needed to help African countries tap into their massive solar + storage potential-and turn ambition into action.

11:30 am - 11:35 amWelcome and Introduction

11:35 am - 11:45 amKey Findings from the Africa Market Outlook 2026-2029

Léo Echard

Policy Officer

Global Solar Council

11:45 am - 12:30 pmPanel Discussion

Mark Hankins

Finance Catalyst / Advisor

GET.Invest

Dr. Rathabile Melamu

Chief Executive Officer

South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA)

To Program Overview

Speakers

Speaker

Dr. Rathabile Melamu, South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA)

Chief Executive Officer

South Africa

Dr. Rethabile Melamu is a sustainability professional and a leader in the green economy sector. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), where she drives initiatives to promote clean energy and sustainable development across the country. Dr. Melamu holds a PhD in Chemical and Environmental Engineering from the University of Cape Town and brings over 18 years of experience in clean energy, environmental sustainability, technology commercialization, and the green economy. Her leadership experience spans several key roles, including Chairperson of the Water Research Commission and Trustee of the Mandela-Rhodes Foundation. She has also provided strategic insight as a Non-Executive Director across multiple private and public sector boards. Additionally, Dr. Melamu has held senior management roles, where she has successfully developed and implemented policies and strategies in energy, sustainability, and technology commercialization. As a thought leader, Dr. Melamu has authored numerous reports and thought leadership pieces on sustainability and green technologies. Her work has been widely recognized; in 2019, she was named one of Mail & Guardian's "Women Who Are Changing South Africa in the Public Sector." In 2024, she was also a finalist in the prestigious Standard Bank Top Women Awards, further underscoring her impact and leadership in the industry.

Speaker

Mark Hankins, GET.Invest

Finance Catalyst / Advisor

Kenya

Speaker

Léo Echard, Global Solar Council

Policy Officer

United Kingdom

Léo is Policy officer at Global Solar Council (GSC), the world's solar PV trade association. The organisation represents corporate members across the value chain as well as national, regional and international associations to accelerate solar deployment globally. He's in charge of steering the working groups on Finance and Grids, where the industry collectively decides on its priorities to ensure that solar is the main source of electricity by 2035. After a first experience in press relations, he worked for a year in an apprenticeship at the French Wind Energy Association, advocating for the offshore wind industry. Léo pursued two master's degrees: one from Sciences Po Toulouse in European Affairs and the second from Université Paris Cité in Energy & Society, providing him with a transversal academic background suited to tackle the complexity of the energy transition.