Nigeria has climbed to second place among Africa’s largest solar panel importers, overtaking Egypt with a record 1,721 megawatts (MW) of imports in the 12 months to June 2025. The data comes from a fresh analysis of China’s solar export figures by energy think tank Ember, released on Tuesday, August 26.
Africa as a whole imported 15,032 MW of solar panels in the same period, 60 per cent higher than the 9,379 MW recorded in the previous year. The surge reflects growing demand for renewable energy solutions across the continent, where millions still lack access to electricity.
In Nigeria alone, more than 85 million people remain without power, making solar one of the fastest-growing alternatives to costly diesel generators. The report noted that while South Africa previously led import growth during its power crisis in 2023, this latest boom is more widespread, with 20 countries hitting record solar imports and 25 countries bringing in at least 100 MW. Algeria followed Nigeria as the third-largest importer with 1,199 MW.
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Despite the impressive inflow, no clear data yet tracks how many of these panels have been installed. Still, Ember’s analysis highlighted that in Nigeria, the savings from replacing diesel with solar can pay back the cost of a panel in as little as six months.
Muhammad Amjad, Program Director at Renewables First, stressed the importance of tracking solar adoption, saying Africa’s shift is inevitable but could be better managed with accurate data. Chief Analyst at Ember, Dave Jones, added that the rapid rise of solar across the continent marks a “pivotal moment” and urged stronger reporting to ensure solar energy achieves its full potential.
Nigeria’s ranking signals both the urgency of its energy crisis and the opportunity solar holds in reshaping its power future.
