What started as a few rooftop panels and scattered pilot projects is now turning into a continental transformation. Across Africa, solar power has moved from being an experimental idea to sitting at the centre of energy planning. Falling costs, better technologies, and the rising need for affordable electricity are driving this shift faster than many expected.
According to energy think tank Ember, using trade data from China’s Customs Administration, the surge is clear: Africa is in the middle of its first real solar “take-off.” In just one year, solar panel imports into the continent have spiked, showing that expansion is no longer talk—it’s happening on a large scale.
Much of the growth has come from utility-scale projects, but it’s not stopping there. Algeria, for example, saw its solar imports rise 33-fold in just one year, becoming the continent’s third-largest importer. At the same time, households, businesses, and even government institutions are joining the trend, setting up their own solar systems as backup or full replacements for unreliable grids.
In fact, Ember’s analysis revealed that imports of Chinese solar panels to Africa jumped by 60 percent in one year, with 20 countries hitting record highs. South Africa still leads the market, but other countries are rapidly catching up. The only concern? Heavy reliance on Chinese supply, since local manufacturing remains limited.
Some countries are already working to fix that. Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa are building local solar panel industries, while others look to India as a model for breaking free from overdependence on imports. Meanwhile, new projects keep springing up. In Benin, for instance, four new solar plants are being developed to push renewables from 16 percent of the energy mix today to 30 percent by 2030.
Experts point out that this isn’t just about clean energy—it’s about economics. Solar projects boost local economies, create jobs, and in many cases, panels pay for themselves in less than six months. Compare that to diesel generators, which remain widely used but are expensive and unsustainable. In fact, in Africa’s top solar-importing nations, diesel imports still outweigh solar by as much as 100 times. Even oil-rich Nigeria depends entirely on imported diesel because of its lack of refining capacity—something analysts often call “absurd.”
That reality is starting to shift with the Dangote refinery in Lagos now operational, supplying much of Nigeria’s refined fuel needs. While that’s a big win, experts argue it doesn’t solve the bigger problem: Africa’s addiction to fossil fuels. Solar remains cheaper, faster, and cleaner—and ultimately more secure for the long run.
The opportunities are expanding beyond the basics. Where solar was once used mainly for irrigation and lighting, it’s now powering entire sectors. Namibia is building green hydrogen projects for European markets, while solar-powered air conditioning is emerging as a key growth area. With Africa’s unmet demand for cooling, solar offers the perfect fit.
Even better, international solar prices are at historic lows, with some panels selling for as little as $60. This makes the technology more accessible than ever. But for the momentum to last, governments must avoid policy missteps. Nigeria, for example, once considered banning solar imports before realising the economic damage that could cause.
The bottom line? Africa’s solar revolution is no longer a dream—it’s already unfolding. Citizens are ready, businesses are investing, and the technology is within reach. The real challenge now is whether governments can match the speed of their people’s ambition and build the infrastructure to keep the light burning.
