Johannesburg: Africa's solar panel imports have surged dramatically, marking a pivotal moment in the continent's energy landscape. The latest data from China's solar panel exports, analyzed by energy think tank Ember, reveals a 60% increase in solar imports across Africa over the 12 months leading to June 2025, reaching a record 15,032 MW compared to the previous year's 9,379 MW.
According to African Press Organization, this surge is seen across most African countries, with Algeria's imports increasing 33-fold, Zambia's eightfold, Botswana's sevenfold, and Sudan's sixfold. Countries such as Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Angola, and Ethiopia have also more than tripled their imports. Despite the record imports, the data does not indicate how many solar panels have been installed so far.
Muhammad Mustafa Amjad, Program Director at Renewables First, emphasized the importance of tracking these solar additions to ensure an organized energy transition. "Bottom-up energy transitions fueled by cheap solar are no longer a choice - they’re our future. Tracking these additions is what makes the difference between a messy shift and an organized, accelerated one," Amjad stated. He further highlighted the lessons from Pakistan’s experience, noting that timely data can facilitate a more equitable and inclusive transition in Africa.
The analysis indicates that if fully installed, recent solar imports could significantly boost electricity generation in several African nations. For instance, Sierra Leone could see a 61% increase in electricity generation, and Chad 49%, compared to their reported 2023 figures. Other countries like Liberia, Somalia, Eritrea, Togo, and Benin could experience an increase of over 10%.
The report also suggests that solar panel imports could reduce overall import expenses. In Nigeria, the savings from replacing diesel with solar energy can repay the cost of a solar panel within six months, and even sooner in other nations. In nine of the top ten solar-importing countries, the cost of solar panels is dwarfed by the import value of refined petroleum by a factor of 30 to 107.
However, more data and evidence are needed to fully understand this rapid solar rise and its potential impact on Africa's electricity systems. Dave Jones, Chief Analyst at Ember, described this solar take-off as a critical moment, calling for enhanced research and reporting to ensure that solar energy fulfills its potential in transforming Africa's energy landscape. Although still in its early stages, this surge indicates a promising start to Africa's solar journey.