- The African Agrivoltaics Platform launches in Paris to scale dual-use solar farming systems, combining crop production and renewable energy generation on the same land.
- The initiative targets food security and clean energy expansion in Africa, using blended finance and investor-ready models to overcome cost and regulatory barriers.
The African Agrivoltaics Platform has launched in Paris to promote agrivoltaics across Africa, where solar energy systems and crop farming operate on the same land. The platform aims to address both food security and renewable energy expansion simultaneously.
Experts from the energy, agriculture, and finance sectors introduced the initiative during a workshop at OECD headquarters. They identified key barriers to adoption, including high upfront costs, weak regulatory frameworks, and limited technical data. As a result, the platform will focus on making agrivoltaics projects more attractive to investors.
The initiative will develop a blended finance facility that combines public and private capital. This structure will reduce investment risk and support early-stage project development. In addition, the platform will organise three working groups focused on research, financing, and business model development to accelerate implementation across African markets.
The African Development Bank has already expressed support for the initiative, highlighting its potential to improve energy access while protecting land, water, and food resources.
The platform will also support countries in building local food and energy independence. It will reduce reliance on global supply chains and improve resilience against price shocks.
Going forward, the initiative will develop climate-specific, ready-to-deploy agrivoltaics projects. It also aims to showcase successful models ahead of major global events such as the France-Africa Summit in 2026, demonstrating how agriculture and solar energy can coexist sustainably.