International Solar Alliance to Set Up $200M Africa Solar Facility

From 2 to 5 November 2026, the 9th Assembly of the International Solar Alliance took place in New Delhi in conjunction with the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo 2026. This 9th Assembly was co-chaired by Indian Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi and French Minister for Ecological Transition Mathieu Lefèvre.

India’s PM Narendra Modi delivered the welcome during the joint inauguration of the Assembly and Exhibition at Bharat Mandapam. In light of the ‘global energy shocks’, Modi underscored the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels for a clean and green future, and the added necessity to guard against geopolitical volatility. His government has set an ambitious target of adding 500 GW of renewable energy capacity, making up about 65% of the energy mix, by the year 2030.

India secured the chairmanship, France retains the co-chairship, and South Sudan occupies the Vice-Chair for Africa during this 3rd term from 2026 to 2028. The ISA now has more than 130 member countries, and its action is focused on the Global South, with the support of the Global North.

India pledged USD 25 million to seed the Africa Solar Facility (ASF). The ASF aims to bolster renewable energy across Africa and targets a total of USD 200 million in funding. To enhance #EletricityAccess, Nigeria plans to endow its Distributed Renewable Energy Fund for off-grid power solutions with a budget of USD 300 million.

Special consideration is given to Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Thus, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Fiji, to name a few, are all benefiting from the ISA’s support. Another key action area is the involvement of farmers and ISA plans to empower at least 3 million farmers to supplement or reduce their costs thanks to solar-powered irrigation and potential resale of extra electricity generated on their farms.