On June 10, 2026, representatives from 17 African nations convened in Marrakech, Morocco, for a workshop aimed at strengthening renewable energy auction mechanisms. The event was organized by the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) in partnership with the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the German development agency GIZ, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The workshop focused on sharing best practices for designing and implementing competitive bidding processes for solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects. According to IRENA, competitive auctions have been key to driving down renewable energy costs globally, with solar photovoltaic prices falling by 89% between 2010 and 2025.
Participants included energy officials from countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and Ethiopia, among others. The discussions highlighted the need for transparent and standardized auction frameworks to attract private investment and accelerate the energy transition across the continent.
MASEN, which has successfully managed Morocco's Noor Ouarzazate solar complex, shared its experience in structuring large-scale renewable energy tenders. The event also addressed challenges such as grid integration, financing, and local content requirements.
The meeting aligns with the African Union's Agenda 2063 goal of ensuring universal access to modern energy services. As of 2026, Africa's renewable energy capacity has grown significantly, but the continent still accounts for less than 3% of global renewable energy investments, according to the World Bank.
