Abuja: Africas solar imports have surged by 60%, marking the first evidence of a significant take-off in solar energy across the continent.
According to African Press Organization, analysis of China’s solar panel export data by energy think tank Ember reveals that solar imports across most African countries reached a new record of 15,032 MW in the 12 months leading up to June 2025. This represents a 60% increase from the 9,379 MW imported in the preceding year.
Some countries witnessed remarkable growth in solar imports, with Algeria’s imports rising 33-fold, Zambia’s eightfold, Botswana’s sevenfold, and Sudan’s sixfold. Additionally, nations like Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Benin, Angola, and Ethiopia more than tripled their imports. Despite these record numbers, there is still no data on how many of these panels have been installed. Muhammad Mustafa Amjad, Program Director at Renewables First, emphasized that tracking these installations is crucial for an organized and accelerated energy transition in Africa.
The report suggests that if fully installed, the recent imports could significantly boost electricity generation in many African countries. For instance, Sierra Leone’s imports could generate electricity equivalent to 61% of its reported electricity generation in 2023, while Chad could see a 49% increase. Liberia, Somalia, Eritrea, Togo, and Benin could experience generation increases exceeding 10% of their 2023 reported levels, with 16 countries potentially seeing over 5% growth.
Furthermore, the report highlights that solar panel imports could reduce overall imports by decreasing reliance on diesel. In Nigeria, the savings from avoiding diesel can repay the cost of a solar panel within six months, and even faster in other nations. In nine of the top ten solar panel importers, the import value of refined petroleum surpasses that of solar panels by a factor of 30 to 107.
The need for more data and evidence is critical to unlocking the full potential of solar energy in Africa. No single data source captures the complete picture, underscoring the necessity for further research and reporting. Dave Jones, Chief Analyst at Ember, stated that the rise of solar in Africa marks a pivotal moment and called for stronger research to ensure that solar energy fulfills its potential to transform the continent.
This surge in solar imports is still in its early stages, and while Africa is not yet experiencing a solar boom akin to Pakistan’s, the initial evidence of change is now apparent.