Africa has recorded a significant rise in solar panel imports from China, with shipments reaching 18.8 GW in 2025, a 48% increase compared with the previous year. This surge reflects the continent’s growing commitment to renewable energy and its increasing reliance on affordable Chinese solar technology to meet rising power demand.
Egypt, Algeria and South Africa have emerged as leading markets, each importing in excess of 1 GW of solar panels during the period. Their strong uptake highlights the accelerating shift towards cleaner energy sources and the strategic investments being made across North and Southern Africa to expand solar generation capacity.
A key driver behind this growth is the continued decline in solar panel prices, which has made large-scale deployment more economically viable for both governments and private developers. Lower costs, combined with abundant solar resources across the continent, are creating favourable conditions for sustained growth in renewable energy projects.