Johannesburg: Africas solar panel imports have surged by 60% in the 12 months leading up to June 2025, setting a new record of 15,032 MW compared to the 9,379 MW imported in the preceding year. This growth provides the first tangible evidence of a major shift towards solar energy across the continent.
According to African Press Organization, the data from Chinas solar panel exports, analyzed by energy think tank Ember, highlights the scale of this increase and its potential impact on the electricity systems of numerous African nations. Several countries have recorded significant growth rates, with Algeria's imports increasing 33-fold, Zambia's eightfold, Botswana's sevenfold, and Sudan's sixfold. Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Benin, Angola, and Ethiopia have also more than tripled their imports.
Despite these record-breaking imports, the exact number of installed panels remains unknown. Muhammad Mustafa Amjad, Program Director at Renewables First, emphasized the importance of tracking these installations to ensure a smooth and organized transition. He stated, "When you don't track, you lose time and opportunities. Africas transition will happen regardless, but with timely data, it can be more equitable, planned, and inclusive."
The analysis further suggests that these imports could significantly contribute to electricity generation if fully installed. For instance, Sierra Leone's recent imports could account for 61% of its reported electricity generation in 2023, while Chad could see an increase of 49%. Other countries, including Liberia, Somalia, Eritrea, Togo, and Benin, could experience a rise of more than 10% in electricity generation compared to 2023 levels, with 16 countries expected to see an increase of over 5%.
The report also points out that solar panel imports could reduce overall import costs, as savings from avoiding diesel usage can offset the cost of solar panels within six months in Nigeria and even less in other countries. In nine of the top ten solar panel importers, the import value of refined petroleum significantly exceeds that of solar panels by a factor ranging from 30 to 107.
However, more data and evidence are required to fully understand the rapid expansion of solar energy across Africa and its potential to enhance electricity systems. Dave Jones, Chief Analyst at Ember, described the take-off of solar in Africa as a pivotal moment and a call to action for stronger research, analysis, and reporting to ensure the continent can harness the transformative potential of the world's cheapest electricity source.
This surge in solar imports marks the early stages of a significant energy transition in Africa. While it may not yet match the scale of Pakistan's recent solar boom, the change is underway, and the first evidence of this shift is now emerging.