By: South China morning post

African nations are significantly increasing their use of solar energy, with a record surge in imports of Chinese-made solar panels. This trend is helping to combat frequent power blackouts and connect populations not served by the main electrical grid.

Key Data:

• According to an Oxford Economics study, Africa imported a record 9,516 megawatts (MW) of Chinese solar panels in the first seven months of 2025, a substantial increase from 6,625 MW in the same period last year.
• A separate analysis from Ember notes that annual imports rose by 60% to 15,032 MW in the year to June 2025.

Leading Countries and Projects:

The surge is led by South Africa, Algeria, and Nigeria, with imports to 20 other African countries reaching record levels. Major projects driving this growth include:

• A 342 MW solar plant in South Africa being built by PowerChina.
• Large-scale desert solar facilities in Algeria, including a 220 MW plant in Biskra.

Primary Reasons for the Trend:

Analysts attribute the boom to two main factors:

1. Drastic Cost Reduction: The lifetime cost of solar energy has plummeted, making it the cheapest form of electricity in history. China, which produced 80% of the world's solar panels in 2024, continues to drive down costs through technological advances and subsidies.
2. Necessity: With Sub-Saharan Africa's electricity access rate at just 53.3%, frequent grid failures and insolvent utilities have created a pressing need for modular and rapidly deployable power solutions like solar panels.

This increase in solar capacity is considered a major boon for the continent, promising to substantially boost electricity supplies and support economic development.