Nairobi is positioning itself at the centre of East Africa’s fast-growing renewable energy market as Intersolar Africa 2026 prepares to debut as a full-scale international exhibition and conference for solar power and energy storage.
Scheduled for 3–4 February 2026 at the Sarit Expo Centre, the event marks a major expansion from the Intersolar Summit Africa held in 2025, reflecting rising investor interest and accelerating deployment of solar and battery technologies across the region.
Rising Energy Demand Fuels Solar Growth
East Africa’s power sector is under increasing strain from rapid population growth, industrialisation and rising electricity demand.
Many countries continue to grapple with limited generation capacity, grid instability and high power costs—factors that have constrained economic growth.
Against this backdrop, solar photovoltaics combined with energy storage are emerging as one of the most practical and scalable solutions.
Falling technology costs and flexible deployment models are enabling businesses and communities to stabilise power supply while reducing long-term energy costs.
Kenya has already established a relatively mature commercial and industrial (C&I) solar market, with installations serving manufacturing plants, logistics hubs, hotels, retailers and agro-processing facilities.
Battery storage is increasingly integrated to provide backup power and manage peak demand.
Neighbouring markets such as Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda are also gaining traction, supported by favourable import conditions and strong demand, although challenges around financing, regulation and currency risk persist.
According to Cynthia Angweya-Muhati, CEO of the Kenya Renewable Energy Association (KEREA), the 2026–2027 solar market will be driven by C&I systems, productive-use applications, energy storage and circular-economy solutions, supported by policy reforms and private-sector innovation.
Connecting Global Expertise With Local Markets
Event organisers say Intersolar Africa is designed to bridge international expertise with regional project development.
“Intersolar Africa responds to one of the fastest-growing solar markets worldwide,” said Dr Florian Wessendorf, Managing Director of Solar Promotion International GmbH. “By bringing the exhibition to Nairobi, we aim to accelerate investment and translate ideas into real projects.”
David Wedepohl, Managing Director for International Affairs at the German Solar Association (BSW-Solar), noted that East Africa has become an increasingly attractive destination for solar, storage and off-grid solutions, with Nairobi offering a strategic meeting point for developers, manufacturers, investors and policymakers.
High-Level Conference Programme
The Intersolar Africa 2026 conference will feature senior policymakers, regulators and industry leaders addressing regulatory frameworks, market development and financing challenges.
Confirmed speakers include Daniel Kiptoo, Director General of Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), and Yemissirach Sisay Tebeje, General Manager of the Ethiopian Solar Energy Development Association (ESEDA).
Sessions will focus on topics such as:
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Solar and storage market trends across Africa
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Project pipelines in East, West and Southern Africa
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Risk mitigation and bankability for renewable projects
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Agrivoltaics and 24-hour solar solutions
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Battery storage optimisation and grid integration
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E-mobility growth and innovative business models
Start-up pitches and discussions on private capital mobilisation are also expected to feature prominently.
Exhibition Showcases Solar Value Chain
The exhibition will host around 100 exhibitors and partner organisations from 15 countries, showcasing technologies and services across the solar and energy storage value chain.
Organisers expect more than 3,000 trade visitors and approximately 250 conference participants, underlining the growing importance of East Africa in the global renewable energy transition.
With strong regional demand, declining technology costs and increasing international engagement, Intersolar Africa 2026 is expected to play a key role in shaping the next phase of solar and energy storage development across the region.
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