Nigeria Surpasses Egypt to Become Africa’s Second-Largest Solar Panel Importer

Nigeria has climbed to a new milestone in the renewable energy space, overtaking Egypt to become Africa’s second-biggest importer of solar panels. 

Fresh figures show that between July 2024 and June 2025, Nigeria brought in 1,721 megawatts (MW) worth of solar panels, a record that places it just behind South Africa, the continent’s largest market.

Rising demand for renewable energy

The surge in solar imports highlights Africa’s growing appetite for renewable power as countries continue to battle electricity shortfalls. 

In Nigeria alone, more than 85 million people remain without access to grid electricity, forcing households, businesses, and entire communities to turn to alternatives like solar. With diesel prices rising and grid power unreliable, solar technology has become a more attractive and affordable option.

Energy analysts point out that in Nigeria, the cost of switching to solar can often pay for itself in as little as six months, largely due to savings from reduced diesel consumption. 

This financial practicality is one of the reasons solar adoption is spreading faster across the continent.

This is a continental shift

The broader African market is also witnessing an unprecedented boom. Data from energy think tank Ember revealed that Africa’s solar imports reached 15,032 MW in the 12 months leading up to June 2025, a 60 percent jump compared to the previous year. 

Notably, the trend is no longer driven solely by South Africa. At least 20 African countries recorded new highs in imports during this period, with 25 countries bringing in over 100 MW of solar panels, up from just 15 the year before.

Algeria followed Nigeria closely in third place with 1,199 MW of imports, reflecting the spread of solar adoption across North and West Africa.

Its potential for impact

While the exact number of installations from these imports is not yet clear, experts believe the impact could be transformative. In smaller nations like Sierra Leone and Chad, recent imports could generate electricity equivalent to nearly half of their reported power generation in 2023. 

Other countries such as Liberia, Togo, Somalia, and Benin could see their power generation rise by more than 10 percent if projects are fully deployed.

Dave Jones, Chief Analyst at Ember, described the momentum as a “pivotal moment” for Africa’s energy future. He stressed that solar is now the cheapest form of electricity in the world and could be the key to unlocking inclusive development across the continent if properly managed.

Nigeria’s push for solar projects

Beyond imports, Nigeria is also attracting new investments in solar projects. Recently, Kaduna Electric Distribution Company (KEDCO) partnered with J-Marine Logistics Limited to develop a 100 MW solar farm with battery storage in Kaduna State. 

According to KEDCO’s chairman, Aminu Suleiman, the project is expected to improve power supply, boost industrial output, and provide cleaner, more reliable energy for communities.