African nations are importing Chinese solar panels at unprecedented levels in 2025, marking a decisive shift in the continent’s energy transition. Data from the energy think tank Ember shows that imports reached 1.57 gigawatts in May alone—equivalent to nearly three-quarters of the Hoover Dam’s capacity. What makes this surge remarkable is that it is not led by Africa’s largest economies; instead, around 22 smaller nations have doubled their imports compared to last year. This reflects how widely affordable solar technology is spreading across the continent.
Algeria is among the most striking examples, recording a 0.76-gigawatt import volume in the first half of 2025—an astounding 6,300% year-on-year increase. In Chad, solar panel imports have grown to levels that could theoretically match the country’s entire current electricity generation. These developments highlight the growing role of solar power in filling longstanding energy access gaps.
This momentum comes as many African countries reassess their traditional reliance on coal, natural gas, and other fossil fuels. Solar energy has rapidly become not only cleaner but also significantly more cost-effective, thanks in large part to China’s dominance in global solar manufacturing, accounting for more than 80% of global module production. While China previously exported mostly to Europe, North America, and Asia, Africa is now emerging as a major destination for its low-cost panels.
Two distinct adoption patterns are taking shape. In North Africa, countries like Algeria and Egypt are pursuing large utility-scale solar farms that feed national grids and strengthen long-term energy security. In contrast, sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a bottom-up solar revolution, with households and off-grid communities installing small, Chinese-made rooftop systems. For many rural users, solar power represents the first reliable electricity they have ever accessed. This transformation is illustrated in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, where a donated Chinese solar panel—smaller than a television—has already improved daily life in an off-grid village eager for modern energy access.
Despite this progress, challenges remain. Several African governments are exploring domestic solar manufacturing, but most local facilities currently assemble imported cells rather than producing them, limiting local value addition. Until competitive manufacturing emerges, experts agree that affordable Chinese imports will remain the continent’s most viable pathway to rapid solar expansion.
Overall, the sharp rise in Chinese solar panel imports marks a pivotal moment in Africa’s energy landscape. As countries strive to close electricity access gaps and accelerate their clean-energy transitions, solar power is becoming an increasingly practical, scalable, and transformative solution for millions across the continent.
