According to a 2025 report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Climate Policy Initiative, three African countries—Kenya, Ethiopia, and Nigeria—are among the top 10 global recipients of international public financial flows for renewable energy. The report, titled 'Global Landscape of Renewable Energy Finance 2025,' analyzed data from 2013 to 2023.
Kenya ranked 5th globally, receiving approximately $2.1 billion in international public finance for renewable energy projects, primarily for geothermal and wind power. Ethiopia was 7th with $1.8 billion, largely directed toward hydropower and solar initiatives. Nigeria came in 10th with $1.5 billion, focused on solar home systems and grid-connected solar projects.
The top three recipients globally were India ($8.5 billion), Brazil ($5.2 billion), and Vietnam ($4.1 billion). The report highlighted that total international public finance for renewable energy in Africa reached $12.3 billion over the period, with a growing share going to decentralized solutions.
These investments are critical for expanding energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, where over 600 million people lack electricity. The report noted that while funding has increased, it remains insufficient to meet the continent's renewable energy targets under the Paris Agreement.
