Johannesburg: Africas solar imports have surged by 60%, marking the first substantial evidence of a solar energy take-off across the continent. The data, sourced from Chinas solar panel exports, highlights a significant rise that could impact the electricity systems in numerous African countries.
According to African Press Organization, the analysis reveals that Africa's solar panel imports reached a record 15,032 MW in the 12 months leading to June 2025, compared to 9,379 MW in the preceding year. Several countries reported remarkable growth in imports, with Algeria's imports increasing 33-fold, Zambia eightfold, Botswana sevenfold, and Sudan sixfold. Additionally, Liberia, DRC, Benin, Angola, and Ethiopia all more than tripled their imports.
Despite the surge in imports, there is no current data on how many panels have been installed. Muhammad Mustafa Amjad, Program Director at Renewables First, emphasized the importance of tracking these installations to ensure an organized and accelerated energy transition. He noted that while Africa's transition will occur, timely data could make it more equitable, planned, and inclusive.
The analysis suggests that the recent imports could substantially contribute to electricity generation in many African countries. If fully installed, the imports in Sierra Leone could generate electricity equivalent to 61% of the country's reported 2023 electricity generation, while in Chad, the figure stands at 49%. Countries like Liberia, Somalia, Eritrea, Togo, and Benin could see more than a 10% rise in reported generation for 2023. In total, 16 countries might witness an increase of over 5%.
The report also highlights potential economic benefits, noting that solar panel imports could reduce overall imports. In Nigeria, savings from avoiding diesel could repay the cost of a solar panel within six months, and even less in other countries. In nine of the top ten solar panel importers, the import value of refined petroleum significantly surpasses that of solar panels by a factor between 30 to 107.
Additional data and insights are needed to fully understand the rapid solar rise across Africa and its potential to enhance electricity systems. Dave Jones, Chief Analyst at Ember, called this development a pivotal moment for Africa and urged for more robust research, analysis, and reporting to harness the full transformative potential of solar energy on the continent.
This significant surge in solar energy is still at its nascent stage. While Pakistan experienced a tremendous solar boom recently, Africa is poised for a similar transformation. This initial evidence marks the beginning of a promising shift in the continent's energy landscape.