- Nigeria has become Africa’s second-largest importer of solar panels, surpassing Egypt with 1,721 MW of imports in the year leading to June 2025
- This surge in solar panel imports across the continent reflects a growing shift towards renewable energy, as over 85 million Nigerians still lack access to electricity
- The rise in imports has the potential to significantly boost electricity generation across Africa, with some countries seeing a generation increase of over 10% in 2023
Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has 5-year-experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market.
With a record 1,721 megawatts of imports in the 12 months leading to June 2025, Nigeria surpassed Egypt to become Africa’s second-largest importer of solar panels.
Source: Getty Images
This was revealed in a fresh examination of China’s solar panel export statistics released on Tuesday by the energy think tank Ember.
More than 85 million people in Nigeria do not have access to electricity, making it one of the nations where this issue persists. Nigerians have resorted to renewable energy sources to close this gap, with solar technologies gaining traction.
In a statement accompanying the data, it was suggested that Africa’s solar panel imports hit a new record in the 12 months leading to June 2025, reaching 15,032 MW—a 60 percent rise from the 9,379 MW imported in the preceding 12 months.
“The last time imports surged was in 2023, when South Africa’s solar imports picked up as the power crisis hit its peak. However, this time is different; much of the pick-up in the last 12 months happened outside of South Africa. Twenty countries set a new record for solar panel imports in the 12 months leading to June 2025. Twenty-five countries imported at least 100 MW, up from 15 countries 12 months before.
“In the last 12 months to June 2025, Nigeria overtook Egypt to become the second-largest importer with 1,721 MW of solar panel imports in the past year, while Algeria ranked third with 1,199 MW,” read part of the statement.
There is no data to determine how many solar panels have been installed despite these record shipments. Nonetheless, the study explained how, in Nigeria, the savings from avoiding diesel can cover the cost of a solar panel in six months, or even less in other nations.
“Bottom-up energy transitions fueled by cheap solar are no longer a choice; they’re our future. Tracking these additions makes the difference between a messy shift and an organised, accelerated one,” said Program Director at Renewables First, Muhammad Amjad.
“When you don’t track, you lose both time and opportunities. Pakistan’s experience shows this clearly. Africa’s transition will happen regardless, but with timely data it can be more equitable, planned, and inclusive,” he added.
Source: Getty Images
Chief Analyst at Ember, Dave Jones, said,
“The take-off of solar in Africa is a pivotal moment. This report is a call to action, urging stronger research, analysis, and reporting on solar’s rise to ensure the world’s cheapest electricity source fulfills its vast potential to transform the African continent.”
According to the report, recent imports have the potential to significantly contribute to the production of electricity in many African nations. If fully implemented, imports made in Sierra Leone in the past 12 months could generate electricity equal to 61% of the reported electricity generation in 2023, compared to 49% in Chad.
A generation increase of more than 10% of the estimated 2023 generation could occur in Liberia, Somalia, Eritrea, Togo, and Benin. Sixteen nations could see increases of more than 5% overall.
Electricity company to build solar energy project
Legit.ng reported that J-Marine Logistics Limited and Kaduna Electric Distribution Company (KEDCO) have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the construction of a 100-megawatt (MW) solar energy project that incorporates a battery energy storage system (BESS).
The plan is a significant move toward tackling power supply concerns and laying the groundwork for equitable economic growth and development, according to KEDCO chairman Aminu Suleiman, who spoke at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Friday in Kaduna.
According to him, the partnership seeks to increase industrial productivity, provide cleaner energy, and strengthen the dependability of power supplies.
Source: Legit.ng