Solar Startups from India and Africa Partner to Brighten Clean Energy Future

The India and Africa solar partnership is starting its journey toward sustainable development. Solar startups in these two regions have collaborated to reduce the prices and distribute technologies as they make clean energy accessible to millions. The growing partnership between India and Africa stands to provide affordable solar solutions for communities which require them most.

According to The Economic Times, some of the startups from India and Africa signed an MoU on the 2nd day of the SolarX Startup Accelerator Programme 2025 to use each other’s products at a lower cost in order to minimize the expenses related to solar energy.

A New Chapter Through Strategic Agreements

This partnership serves purposes beyond business as it seeks to establish a long-term industrial influence. Recently India and Africa signed a solar MoU that ensures their collaborative targets regarding solar energy promotion and solution development. Through the agreement the partners collaborate on joint development of solar panels and storage batteries and rural power grid expansion.

The Memorandum of Understanding promotes cooperation together with shared knowledge transfer between startups and governments and private investment entities. The strategic partnership between India and Africa ensures mutual benefits because the Asian country has established expertise in solar scalability and the continent needs expanding clean energy systems.

Pragya Gupta, Resource Mobilisation Specialist, ISA, said, “They are putting each other’s products in each other’s countries. ISA is helping them with technology transfers, doing South-South collaborations through the Solar X programme. The Indian Solar X winners are signing MoUs with African Solar X start-ups. One example is an Indian start-up who is into solar agri pump signed an MoU with an African start-up wherein they are exporting the technology and that is reducing the cost in Africa. The second one is another Indian start-up which has the solar cook stove which has engaged with an MoU with an African start-up providing these cooking stoves in local schools in Africa.”

Joint Ventures to Scale Impact

Many companies are now exploring the joint venture model for solar companies to expand their services. These enterprises allow Indian and African startups to co-develop solar technology, create shared supply chains and make cheap products to suit local needs.

For example, an Indian startup experienced in solar mini-grids can partner with an African company that understands the energy needs of off-grid villages. Together, they can provide customized, cost -effective solutions in comparison to working alone.

Pragya Gupta added, “So, let’s say in Africa, your problem statements will be different from those in APAC or GCC. So, when you talk to each other, then automatically a solution comes because all 50 [start-ups] have gone through similar journeys. There is a start-up from Africa that wants to open a factory in India, but they don’t know how to collaborate cross-country. That’s where ISA comes into play,”

A Shared Vision for Energy Access

India and Africa solar partnership is more than a business opportunity – it is a common mission to enhance life and create a lasting future. With growing energy demand and growing awareness of climate change, solar power offers a clean, cheap and scalable solution.

India is partnering with Africa by signing a solar agreement and using support from the International Solar Alliance. Startups are also teaming up through joint ventures, showing that working together is the key to moving forward.

Barakat Ahmed, Regional Programmes Head, ISA, said, “We are trying to bridge the gap of connectivity, helping them to reach out to the private sector, and reaching out to financing institutions because today, we are also having some banks with us. This kind of support is very much required. So, we want to help them understand the requirements of the private sector, the requirements of the financing institution to scale up, etc.”