African nations are making notable progress in the solar value chain, according to a recent analysis by Ember. While solar panel imports from China reached record levels across the continent, several countries are simultaneously developing their own production and assembly capabilities.
In March 2026, exports of Chinese solar technology to Africa rose by 176% compared to the previous month, hitting 10 GW. For the first time, Nigeria (+519%), Kenya (+207%), and Ethiopia (+391%) each imported over 1 GW of solar PV in a single month, primarily in the form of solar cells.
Beyond installation growth, many African countries are moving upstream in the solar value chain by building local manufacturing and assembly facilities. Chinese exports of cells and wafers surpassed panel exports as early as October 2025, reflecting a shift toward assembling panels outside China.
Ember also noted that global exports of solar products, batteries, and electric vehicles jumped 70% year-on-year in March 2026, driven by energy security concerns. Battery shipments surged as countries sought to store solar power for evening use.
In Africa, coal's share of electricity generation has nearly halved-from 45% to 24%-in just a few years, with renewables (26%) overtaking coal by 2025. Fossil-fuel-dependent nations like Egypt, Nigeria, and Algeria are showing early signs of solar deployment. Egypt imported 2.3 GW of panels in 2025 (more than double 2024 levels), while Algeria's imports reached 2.1 GW-six times higher than the previous year.
Ethiopia also stands out, having nearly doubled its hydroelectric generation to 32 TWh in 2025 following the full commissioning of the 5.15 GW Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, now Africa's largest hydropower plant.
Source: Ember, May 2026
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