Tunisia Boosts Solar Power with Massive Chinese Imports
Key takeaway: Tunisia, which is betting on solar energy as part of its energy‑transition strategy, will import 655 MW of Chinese solar panels between July 2024 and June 2025.
African Solar‑Panel Imports – A Continental Overview
| Rank | Country | Imported Capacity (MW) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 3,784 | Still the continent’s biggest buyer, even though demand has slowed as electricity supply stabilises. |
| 2 | Nigeria | 1,700 | |
| 3 | Algeria | 1,199 | |
| 4 | Morocco | 915 | |
| 5 | Egypt | 854 | |
| 6 | Tunisia | 655 | Focused on solar‑energy transition. |
| … | … | … | 25 African nations are listed in the full report. |
Source: “The First Signs of a Solar‑Energy Boom in Africa,” a recent study by the energy‑and‑climate think‑tank Ember.
The Solar Boom in Numbers
- 60 % increase in solar‑panel imports from China across 25 African countries compared with the same period in 2024.
- Total imported capacity: 15,032 MW (up from 9,379 MW in 2024).
- 25 African nations imported at least 100 MW each from China, which produces roughly 80 % of the world’s solar panels – a jump from 15 countries the previous year.
Fastest‑Growing Importers
| Country | Growth Factor (2024‑2025) |
|---|---|
| Algeria | ×33 |
| Zambia | ×8 |
| Botswana | ×7 |
| Sudan | ×6 |
| Liberia, DR Congo, Benin, Angola, Ethiopia | >×3 |
What the Data Don’t Show
- Installation figures are missing. The report notes that there is no reliable data on how many of the imported panels have actually been installed on the ground.
- Some panels may be re‑exported, re‑shipped to avoid tariffs, or stockpiled for long periods, which can distort the picture of on‑site capacity.
Economic Impact: Solar vs. Diesel
- Cost recovery: In Nigeria, the savings from avoiding diesel‑generated electricity could pay back the cost of a solar panel in just six months; the payback period is even shorter in several other African markets.
- In 9 of the top 10 solar‑panel importing countries, the value of refined‑oil imports still dwarfs solar‑panel imports, ranging from 30 to 107 times higher.
Renewable‑Energy Capacity in Africa – A Decade of Growth
- Installed renewable capacity: 32.54 GW in 2014 → 62.10 GW in 2023 (+91 % growth).
- Global share: Africa’s renewable capacity now accounts for only 1.6 % of worldwide renewable capacity.
Source: “Renewable Capacity Statistics 2024,” International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), published 27 March 2025.
Takeaways for Stakeholders
- Policy makers should streamline data collection on panel installations to better gauge the real impact of imports.
- Investors can view the rapid import growth—and the short diesel‑payback periods—as a strong signal of emerging market opportunities.
- Regional cooperation could reduce re‑export and stockpiling practices, ensuring that imported panels directly contribute to Africa’s renewable‑energy targets.
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