Nigeria has emerged as Africa’s second-largest solar importer after a record surge in solar panel shipments, according to new data from energy think tank Ember. In the 12 months to June 2025, Nigeria imported 1,721 MW of solar panels, overtaking Egypt and trailing only South Africa.
Across Africa, solar imports rose 60% year-on-year to reach 15,032 MW, compared to 9,379 MW in the previous 12 months.
20 countries setting new import records and 25 countries importing at least 100 MW, up from 15 a year earlier. While South Africa led Africa’s solar push during its 2023 power crisis, the latest wave of imports has been driven by other countries.
Algeria imported 1,199 MW, while Zambia, Botswana, and Sudan recorded exponential growth rates. Liberia, Benin, Angola, and Ethiopia also more than tripled their solar panel imports.
If fully installed, Ember estimates these imports could significantly boost electricity supply.
In Sierra Leone, recent imports could generate electricity equal to 61% of its 2023 output, while Chad could see a 49% increase.
For Nigeria, the gains may not shift generation percentages dramatically, but the savings on diesel use are substantial. The cost of a solar panel in Nigeria can be recouped in less than six months by avoiding diesel expenses. This makes solar an attractive alternative for businesses and households struggling with soaring energy costs and high reliance on generators.
Despite the surge, solar panels remain small compared to petroleum imports. In nine of Africa’s top 10 solar importers, refined petroleum imports outweighed solar by a factor of 30 to 107 times. In Nigeria, this highlights how much ground renewables must cover.
Chief Analyst at Ember, Dave Jones, called the surge in solar adoption a “pivotal moment” but warned that more research is needed. The report comes amid a debate over Nigeria’s plans to ban importation of solar panels. The Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, announced plans to stop the importation of solar panels. Industry experts have condemned the plan, warning that it could worsen Nigeria’s energy crisis.
Source：https://nairametrics.com/2025/08/26/nigeria-emerges-as-africas-second-largest-solar-importer-amid-60-surge-across-continent/