Rising electricity shortages and escalating energy costs across Africa are fuelling a sharp increase in demand for Chinese solar technology, further expanding China’s influence in one of the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy markets.
Fresh customs figures released on Wednesday show that exports of solar panels and solar cells from China to African countries rose 83% year-on-year in April, reaching 123,787 metric tons compared with 67,552 tons a year earlier.
The surge reflects a growing shift by governments, businesses and households across Africa toward solar power as a way to reduce reliance on unstable electricity grids, costly diesel generators and fluctuating fuel prices.
Although volumes dipped from March’s record high of 209,474 tons, analysts note that demand has remained strong even after China scrapped its solar export tax rebate policy on April 1, a move expected to raise global solar equipment costs.
Much of March’s spike was driven by global buyers rushing to secure shipments ahead of the policy change.
South Africa and Congo drive regional demand
South Africa remained one of the largest African importers of Chinese solar equipment in April, with purchases rising 81.4% year-on-year as households and businesses continued turning to alternative energy amid prolonged power outages and grid instability.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded one of the steepest increases globally, with imports jumping 482% to 17,953 tons.
The rise is particularly notable for a country still facing extremely low electricity access rates, despite its vast reserves of minerals such as cobalt and copper that are essential to the global energy transition.
Across the continent, solar power is becoming both a practical necessity and a long-term economic strategy.
Many African nations are grappling with rapid population growth, expanding cities, weak electricity infrastructure and rising fuel import bills, making renewable energy one of the most viable solutions for expanding power access.
China’s strong manufacturing capacity has also made its solar products some of the most affordable on the global market.
China deepens clean energy footprint globally
Outside Africa, exports of Chinese solar equipment to Southeast Asia increased 75% year-on-year in April, reaching 170,733 tons, though this was lower than March’s peak of 336,891 tons.
On a broader scale, shipments of solar cells and panels from China rose 60% year-on-year in unit terms in April. However, total export growth was limited to 4% due to weaker demand from South Asia and the Middle East.
The Netherlands remained the largest importer by volume, with shipments worth $380.8 million, although imports declined 2.5% compared with the previous year to 177,391 tons.
The Philippines ranked second globally, even though import levels fell sharply after March’s pre-policy buying surge.
These trends highlight China’s expanding dominance in global clean energy supply chains as countries accelerate renewable energy adoption to reduce emissions and manage volatile fossil fuel dependence.
For Africa, the developments also underscore a shifting geopolitical reality: while Western economies continue debating climate finance commitments, China is rapidly positioning itself as the continent’s leading supplier of renewable energy technology.