- Nigeria solar imports reached 1,721 MW in one year, overtaking Egypt.
- Government plans to ban panels may hinder renewable progress despite rising demand.
Nigeria solar imports have surged, pushing the country into second place in Africa, behind only South Africa, according to Ember. The energy think tank revealed that in the 12 months to June 2025, Nigeria imported 1,721 MW of solar panels, marking its largest rise yet in renewable energy adoption.
Across Africa, solar imports increased by 60 percent year-on-year, reaching 15,032 MW compared with 9,379 MW previously. Ember confirmed that 20 African countries set new import records. In addition, 25 countries imported at least 100 MW, up from 15 the year before.
The report also highlighted how solar growth, once concentrated in South Africa, is now spreading more broadly. Algeria imported 1,199 MW in the same period, while Zambia, Botswana, and Sudan recorded rapid increases. Smaller economies, including Liberia, Benin, Angola, and Ethiopia, more than tripled their imports.
If fully installed, these panels could transform electricity access. For example, Sierra Leone’s new panels could provide energy equal to 61 percent of its 2023 electricity output. Similarly, Chad could see a 49 percent boost.
For Nigeria, the additional panels may not significantly alter its generation mix due to a larger base. However, Ember stressed that the benefits in diesel savings would be substantial. It estimated that the cost of a panel in Nigeria can be recovered in under six months, thanks to reduced diesel use. This makes solar attractive for businesses and households facing high energy costs.
Nevertheless, solar remains overshadowed by petroleum. Ember’s analysis showed that in nine of Africa’s top 10 solar importers, refined petroleum imports outweighed solar by 30 to 107 times. Dave Jones, Ember’s chief analyst, described the surge as “a pivotal moment” for Africa’s transition.
The report also coincides with Nigeria’s federal government plan to ban solar panel imports. At an event in Abuja, Uche Nnaji, Minister of Science and Technology, announced the policy, intended to promote local production. The initiative, part of President Bola Tinubu’s “renewed hope” agenda, aims to conserve foreign exchange and support domestic industry.
Even so, experts warned that restricting imports could undermine renewable adoption. As a result, Nigeria faces a delicate balance between boosting Nigeria solar imports and developing local capacity.