Who's leading in Africa's solar imports?

September 25, 2025

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At least 33 African countries imported more solar panels from China in the past eight months than during the whole of 2024. By August 2025, shipments totalled 11.3 GW, just 1.3 GW short of last year’s record. This surge comes even as solar panel prices have remained steady over the last four months, trading at $0.09 per watt at the export point.

  • Algeria recorded the highest growth, with imports rising by 816 MW, three times its 2024 total. Sudan ranked second with 479 MW, nine times more than last year; DRC increased imports by 268 MW, nearly tripling its 2024 figure.

  • South Africa showed a declining trend. Its 2025 imports have reached only half of 2023 levels. The downturn follows the lapse of government tax incentives in February 2024 for households and in February 2025 for businesses.

  • Our take: There is a need for better tracking in off-grid installations to guide policy makers and investors… Read more (2 min)

South Africa topped the Renewables Rising country ranking for September, scoring far ahead of other African nations. The country recorded three major projects with a combined capacity of 1.2 GW and posted 527 new energy-sector roles, representing more than 80% of all jobs advertised on the continent that month.

  • The Renewables Rising country ranking combines several metrics, including the number and size of projects, funding volumes, policy developments, events, and advertised jobs. It is updated every month.

  • This year, Africa’s energy sector has seen project announcements totalling more than 54 GW. Solar remains the dominant technology, though there is a growing trend toward hybridisation with battery storage.

  • Our take: We expect new announcements of deals secured in New York in the coming weeks… Read more (2 min)

This week’s opportunity list includes over 140 new jobs advertised across Africa. Most openings are technical, focusing on engineering and project management roles. However, energy companies are also actively recruiting sales professionals, such as renewable energy sales executives and sales engineers. Key employers for these include Engie and Sanergy.

  • With 108 positions, South Africa remains the dominant force in the industry. Kenya, Nigeria and Egypt are notable hubs for opportunities. Mozambique is an honourable mention.

  • We also feature two legal roles on the continent. They indicate the sector’s increasing financial risk and growing regulatory complexity. Legal positions have also occurred in previous weekly job listings.

  • The full list of jobs is here… Read more (2 min)

São Tomé and Príncipe has officially joined the Africa Minigrids Program (AMP)

 

Events

🗓️ Attend South Africa’s African Energy Week 2025 event (Sep 29)

🗓️ Register for a workshop on the power of minigrids in East Africa (Oct 2)

🗓️ Be at the Solar Africa Tanzania 2025 event (Oct 8)

🗓️ Participate in the Solar & Storage Live Cape Town 2026 (Oct 15)

Various 

🏆 CrossBoundary Energy named to Fortune Change the World list 

💡 Equator Energy delivers a 10MW solar facility in Kenya

🔋 See the five countries leading battery storage development in Africa

💵 SEDF commits $15m for clean energy and sustainable development in Africa

Seen on LinkedIn 

Charity Wanjohi, Environmental Officer at KenGen Kenya, says, “Great policies on paper don’t automatically translate to action on the ground.”