Africa Expands Solar Manufacturing as China Remains Dominant Supplier
African countries are adding solar factories to capture more value, while China still supplies most cells and components, analysts said.
- Nations across Africa are accelerating domestic solar manufacturing capacity, with Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, and Ethiopia leading efforts to reduce import dependence.
- Chinese firms pledged $250 billion in overseas green manufacturing projects since 2011, with renewable energy investments in Africa reaching $66 billion between 2010 and 2024.
- Nigeria's solar assembly capacity rose from about 120 megawatts to roughly 300 megawatts in the last two years, though most new factories assemble imported components rather than producing high-value solar cells.
- Trade restrictions in Europe and other regions push Chinese companies to expand in Africa and Southeast Asia, while GOGLA estimates more than 10 million solar kits sold across Africa in 2025.
- Reliance on China for solar supply will likely remain high, as China retains a dominant global role in manufacturing solar cells, according to Hannah Pitt, energy and climate practice director at Rhodium Group.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Africa turns to solar manufacturing to cut China dependence. Can it succeed?
Africa is moving to build more of its own solar manufacturing capacity, but the continent faces a difficult challenge: reducing its dependence on China while relying on Chinese technology, components and investment to expand the industry
The Toronto Star
Africa wants more homegrown solar to boost self-reliance, but China’s shadow remains
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Africa’s largest economies are accelerating plans to build more domestic solar manufacturing capacity, a shift industry analysts say reflects both industrial ambition and growing unease over dependence on imports from China that dominate the global market.
The major economies of Africa are accelerating their plans to build greater domestic solar production capacity, a change that, according to industry analysts, reflects both industrial ambition and growing concerns about dependence on imports from China, which dominates the world market.
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