The African countries imported a record 15,032 MW From solar collectors from China in the 12 months to June 2025, a jump of 60% compared to the previous year. In May alone, imports met 1.57 GW-Trei quarter of the capacity of the Hoover dam. Twenty countries set new heights, with Nigeria Egypt for second place 1.721 MW and Algeria close behind at 1,199 MW.
The increase signals a continent race to electrify – but it also masked deeper industrial challenges. Behind the headlines of the fast adoption is a Supply chain where dependence and opportunity pull in opposite directions.
At the moment Africa is still almost completely dependent on foreign suppliers. China makes out 85–90% From installations and dominance extends far beyond panels beyond batteries, inverters and storage systems.
This dependence complicated politics. “Without viable local alternatives, a ban would slow down rural electrification in Nigeria, increase costs and delay adoption.” says Isah Abdullah, a solar seller and technician in Kano, who covers the compromises of the governments who want to promote domestic industry.
Nevertheless, the production of dynamics moves. The capacity of the South Africa meeting has reached about 620 MW per year, and the domestic demand was estimated to be 3 GW. Partnerships are also improving with artsolar, 150 permanent jobs form in addition to a 340 MW assembly system.
However, the progress is restricted by the lack of middle of the supply chain. “Africa has no local supply chain for not only core materials such as PV cells, but also for auxiliary materials such as glass, back blade, Eva” Notes an analysis through sustainable energy for everyone.
The infrastructure adds another friction layer. With around 40% of the streets in many countries – compared to 94% in the United States – the logistical costs rise and slowly delivers. The challenges of the power supply in more than 30 countries force manufacturers to create themselves and erode margins.
Political answers form risks and promises. South Africa’s new 10% import duty for panels aims to protect local manufacturers, but the actors in the industry warn against increasing costs and delaying projects during a critical phase of transition.
Despite more assembly lines, the value acquisition remains limited. Analysts find that if systems are produced locally, more economic benefits remain in the communities – most facilities adhere to the least profitable step at the final assembly.
Technology bottlenecks are particularly acute. “In Africa there is no inverter assembly unit in the industrial scale in operation” and the important power supply electronics are still being imported. Even the aspiring panel lines of South Africa are based on components that largely come from China.
As a result, the continent remains at a strategic intersection. Accept cheap imports to speed up electrification, or invest in deeper production to build long -term capacities.
As an industrial observer Set it out“Importing cells and importing panels – it is almost the same”, a memory that often captures today’s local assembly little value. With 600 million Africans who still have no electricity, the short-term imperative is clear-but the permanent prosperity will depend on securing a larger proportion of the renewable value chain.