LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigeria has surged ahead of Egypt to claim the position of Africa’s second-largest importer of solar panels, importing a record 1,721 megawatts (MW) worth in the 12 months ending June 2025, according to a new report from energy think tank Ember. This milestone comes as solar panel imports across the African continent skyrocketed by 60%, reaching 15,032 MW from 9,379 MW in the previous year, driven primarily by shipments from China, the world’s leading solar manufacturer. The dramatic uptick signals a pivotal shift toward renewable energy adoption in Africa, where abundant sunlight could transform energy access for millions, though challenges like installation delays and policy uncertainties persist.
The Ember analysis, based on Chinese customs export data, highlights how the solar boom is broadening beyond traditional leaders like South Africa, which retained its top spot with 3,784 MW of imports. Unlike the 2023 surge fueled by South Africa’s power crisis, this wave is continent-wide, with 20 countries setting new import records and 25 nations importing at least 100 MW—up from just 15 the year before. Algeria leaped to third place with 1,199 MW, a staggering 33-fold increase, while countries like Zambia (eightfold growth), Botswana (sevenfold), and Sudan (sixfold) also posted explosive gains. Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Benin, Angola, and Ethiopia more than tripled their imports, underscoring a structural trend in decentralized solar uptake across emerging markets.
Dave Jones, chief analyst at Ember, described the development as “the first evidence of a take-off in solar in Africa,” emphasizing its potential to reshape electricity systems. “This surge is still in its early days… but change happens quickly,” Jones said, calling for enhanced research to track the transition and ensure equitable growth. For the U.S., where solar energy is a mature industry, this African boom presents investment opportunities in supply chains, technology transfer, and partnerships, potentially aiding global climate goals while addressing Africa’s energy poverty affecting over 600 million people without reliable electricity.
Drivers of the Solar Import Surge: Economic Pressures and Policy Shifts
Africa’s solar import explosion is propelled by a confluence of factors, including escalating diesel costs, unreliable grids, and supportive policies. In Nigeria, the removal of fuel subsidies in 2023 doubled diesel prices to around $0.66 per liter, making solar an economically viable alternative for households, businesses, and industries reliant on generators. A typical 420-watt solar panel retails for about $60 in Nigeria, generating 550 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually—more than double the output from an equivalent diesel spend, with a payback period of just six months. In other nations, payback times are even shorter due to higher diesel prices, potentially reducing refined petroleum imports by factors of 30 to 107 times the value of solar panels in top importers.
Government initiatives have accelerated adoption. Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), backed by the World Bank, have funneled investments into off-grid and mini-grid solar systems, powering remote communities and commercial operations. Similar efforts in West Africa, including Ghana and Burkina Faso, have seen installations quadruple or more, while East African nations like Zambia address hydropower disruptions from droughts. The African Union’s Agenda 2063 and regional power pools, such as the West African Power Pool (WAPP), aim to integrate 3.5 gigawatts (GW) of renewables by 2030, with solar comprising over 60%.
However, not all news is positive. Nigeria’s Science and Technology Minister Uche Nnaji recently announced plans to ban solar panel imports to boost local manufacturing, drawing sharp criticism from industry experts who warn it could exacerbate the energy crisis and stifle growth. Local production remains nascent, with Nigeria’s capacity limited compared to Morocco’s 1 GW annual output.
Top Solar Importers in Africa: A Snapshot
The following table summarizes the leading solar panel importers in Africa for the 12 months ending June 2025, based on Ember’s data:
| Rank | Country | Imports (MW) | Year-on-Year Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 3,784 | Steady (leader) |
| 2 | Nigeria | 1,721 | Significant rise |
| 3 | Algeria | 1,199 | 33-fold increase |
| 4 | Egypt | 854 | Overtaken |
| – | Zambia | N/A | 8-fold increase |
| – | Botswana | N/A | 7-fold increase |
| – | Sudan | N/A | 6-fold increase |
Note: Growth rates for lower-ranked countries are illustrative; exact MW figures for all not specified in reports. Source: Ember analysis of Chinese export data.
Potential Impacts: Boosting Electricity Access and Reducing Emissions
If fully installed, these imports could dramatically enhance electricity generation. In Sierra Leone, the past year’s panels could produce 61% of 2023’s total output; in Chad, 49%; and in 16 countries, over 5%. For Nigeria, with its larger energy base, the impact is more about cost savings and reliability, supporting sectors like agribusiness and mining that could offset diesel expenses rapidly.
Ember notes a lag between imports and installations—shipping takes 1-2 months, and panels often sit in warehouses, as seen in Europe with 80 GW stockpiled in 2023. The Global Solar Council projects Africa’s solar capacity to grow 42% in 2025 to 23 GW over four years, but financing bottlenecks, high interest rates, and grid constraints threaten progress. Experts like Muhammad Mustafa Amjad of Renewables First stress the need for better tracking, drawing parallels to Pakistan’s solar boom, to ensure an “organized, accelerated” transition.
U.S. Perspective: Opportunities in Africa’s Solar Renaissance
For American investors and policymakers, Africa’s solar surge aligns with U.S. climate initiatives like the Power Africa program, which has mobilized over $900 million in solar investments since 2018. Companies such as First Solar and Enel Green Power are already active, and the U.S. could expand through de-risking tools and technology exports to lower capital costs—currently 2-3 times higher in Africa due to perceived risks. With Africa holding 60% of the world’s best solar resources but only 3% of global generation, this boom could enhance U.S.-Africa ties, reduce global emissions, and open markets for American firms in a sector projected to reach $20 billion by 2033.
As Nigeria and its neighbors install these panels, the continent edges closer to energy independence, but sustained policy support and international collaboration will be key to realizing the full potential of this solar revolution.