Global solar body GOGLA has released its 2025 Global Off-Grid Solar Market Report, showing that its trade affiliates sold more than 10 million solar energy kits in 2025, the highest annual total ever recorded.

Now, around 148 million people worldwide are connected to off-grid solar, predominantly in Africa and Asia, and with growth strongest in East Africa and Nigeria, where subsidies and results-based financing programmes have helped accelerate market expansion and affordability. East Africa alone recorded more than 7.4 million sales, while West Africa grew by 26 per cent year-on-year, primarily driven by Nigeria. 

Around143MW of capacity was installed, and there was a strong trend to solar home systems (SHS) over dedicated use, meanwhile, in terms of suppliers there has been an increased market concentration. In 2021, the top three sellers for that year represented 62 per cent of global volumes reported to GOGLA. In 2025, that number reached 72 per cent.

As a result of off-grid solar installations, 7.4 million people are currently undertaking more economic activity as a direct result. Cumulatively, economic opportunities unlocked or improved through ownership of off-grid solar products has led to $10.95bn in additional income generated by customers since 2010. Coupled with the savings that smaller off-grid products, such as lanterns and multi-light kits, have created for households, the benefit to the finances of millions of low-income households is over $28.2bn, over the last 15 years.

But, as much of the sector’s recent momentum is concentrated in subsidy-supported markets, it raises questions about how to sustain growth when such programmes end.  

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