Africa is showing ‘The first evidence of a take-off in solar in Africa’ according to a new report by energy think tank Ember, which points to a sharp rise in solar panel imports across the continent.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, African nations imported 15,032MW of solar panels from China, representing a 60% increase compared with the 9,379MW imported in the previous 12 months.
While South Africa has traditionally led the way, Ember found that imports outside of South Africa almost tripled over the two years to June 2025, rising from 3,734MW to 11,248MW.
The number of African countries importing at least 100MW also rose significantly, from 15 to 25, with 20 countries setting new records during the same period. Ember said the findings suggest “a substantial shift in the landscape of renewable energy adoption across the continent.”
The potential contribution of these imports to electricity generation is striking. In Sierra Leone, for example, if all the panels imported were installed, they could generate electricity equal to 61% of the country’s total output in 2023.
Across 16 African countries, the increase would exceed 5% of 2023 generation levels.
Ember highlighted the economic advantages of the transition away from diesel. “The savings from avoiding diesel can repay the cost of a solar panel within six months in Nigeria, and even less in other countries,” the report stated.
However, the think tank also urged caution. While the data signals strong momentum, it stressed that Africa is “not the next Pakistan – yet,” noting that rapid transformations are possible but require closer monitoring.
[Graph credit: Ember]
