Nigeria has emerged as Africa’s second-largest photo voltaic importer after a report surge in photo voltaic panel shipments throughout the continent, based on new knowledge from vitality suppose tank Ember.
Within the 12 months to June 2025, Nigeria imported 1,721 MW of photo voltaic panels, overtaking Egypt and trailing solely South Africa.
Throughout Africa, photo voltaic imports rose 60% year-on-year to achieve 15,032 MW, in comparison with 9,379 MW within the earlier 12 months.
The continent’s photo voltaic uptake is broadening, with 20 international locations setting new import data and 25 international locations importing a minimum of 100 MW, up from 15 a yr earlier.
Photo voltaic progress past South Africa
Based on the report, whereas South Africa led Africa’s photo voltaic push throughout its 2023 energy disaster, the most recent wave of imports has been pushed by different international locations.
- Algeria imported 1,199 MW prior to now yr, whereas nations like Zambia, Botswana, and Sudan recorded exponential progress charges.
- Smaller economies, together with Liberia, Benin, Angola, and Ethiopia, additionally greater than tripled their photo voltaic panel imports.
Potential affect on electrical energy programs
If totally put in, Ember estimates these imports might considerably increase electrical energy provide in lots of African international locations.
In Sierra Leone, latest imports alone might generate electrical energy equal to 61% of its 2023 output, whereas Chad might see a 49% improve.
- For Nigeria, the good points might not shift era percentages dramatically attributable to its bigger vitality base, however the financial savings on diesel use are substantial.
- The report notes that the price of a photo voltaic panel in Nigeria might be recouped in lower than six months by avoiding diesel bills.
- This makes photo voltaic a lovely various for companies and households fighting hovering vitality prices and excessive reliance on turbines.
Petroleum nonetheless dominates imports
Regardless of the surge, photo voltaic panels stay small in comparison with petroleum imports. Ember’s evaluation exhibits that in 9 of Africa’s high 10 photo voltaic importers, refined petroleum imports outweighed photo voltaic by an element of 30 to 107 instances.
In Nigeria, this highlights how a lot floor renewables should cowl earlier than reshaping the nation’s import invoice and vitality combine.
Chief Analyst at Ember, Dave Jones, referred to as the surge in photo voltaic adoption throughout Africa a “pivotal second” however warned that extra analysis is required to trace its long-term affect.
“This surge continues to be in its early days. Change occurs rapidly. The primary proof is right here, however rather more analysis and reporting are wanted to grasp the speedy rise in photo voltaic throughout Africa,” he stated.
What you need to know
The report on photo voltaic import comes amid an ongoing debate over Nigeria’s plans to ban importation of photo voltaic panels.
- The Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, had at a latest occasion in Abuja introduced plans by the federal authorities to cease the importation of photo voltaic panels as a part of efforts to spice up native manufacturing and drive Nigeria’s clear vitality transition.
- The proposed coverage shift, reportedly aimed toward boosting native manufacturing and lowering dependence on foreign-made photo voltaic parts, is a part of a broader push by the President Bola Tinubu administration to advertise industrialisation, preserve overseas change, and help home enterprises consistent with the renewed hope agenda.
- Nevertheless, trade consultants have condemned the plan, warning that it might worsen Nigeria’s vitality disaster.
Be First to Comment