Johannesburg: Africas solar panel imports have surged by 60%, marking the first signs of a significant shift towards solar energy on the continent. The latest analysis reveals that the imports reached a record 15,032 MW in the 12 months to June 2025, compared to 9,379 MW in the previous year.
According to African Press Organization, data from a report based on China’s solar panel exports by energy think tank Ember shows that this increase in imports is widespread across Africa and could potentially transform the electricity systems of many countries. Notably, Algeria’s imports increased 33-fold, while Zambia, Botswana, and Sudan saw their imports rise eightfold, sevenfold, and sixfold respectively. Countries such as Liberia, DRC, Benin, Angola, and Ethiopia more than tripled their imports during this period.
Despite these record imports, the data does not yet indicate how many panels have been installed. Muhammad Mustafa Amjad, Program Director at Renewables First, highlighted the importance of tracking these installations to ensure a more organized and accelerated energy transition, emphasizing that Africa’s transition to solar energy is inevitable.
The analysis suggests that these imports could significantly boost electricity generation in several African countries. For instance, if fully installed, Sierra Leone’s recent imports could equate to 61% of its 2023 electricity generation, while Chad could see a 49% increase. Additionally, several countries, including Liberia, Somalia, Eritrea, Togo, and Benin, could experience a generation rise of over 10%.
The report also indicates that solar panel imports could reduce overall import costs, as savings from avoiding diesel could offset the cost of a solar panel within six months in Nigeria, and even faster in other countries. In nine of the top ten importers, the value of refined petroleum imports far exceeds that of solar panels.
However, more data is needed to fully understand the rapid rise in solar energy across Africa. Dave Jones, Chief Analyst at Ember, called for increased research and reporting to ensure that solar energy can reach its potential in transforming the continent.
While this surge is still in its early stages, it signifies a critical moment for Africa’s energy landscape, with the potential for rapid and transformative change akin to Pakistan’s recent solar boom.