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Low prices drive biggest year for solar imports
Source: Continent Rising
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African countries imported a record 14.8 GW of solar panels in the ten months to October, 2.1 GW more than the total imported in 2024, according to the latest data from think tank Ember. Despite the higher volumes, buyers spent $45 million less overall. This was driven by a 19% fall in prices between 2024 and 2025, with 2025 prices dropping to $0.094/watt.
The drop has been mainly driven by Chinese government subsidies and improving technology. Since 2018, prices have fallen by more than 73%.
Lower costs have encouraged growing adoption in Africa, with 24 countries importing more than 100 MW, four more than in the whole of 2024. Algeria joined South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt in reaching gigawatt-scale imports.
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