Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 hr ago
Africa’s solar installations set a record as official data misses much of the growth
African countries are expected to install 17 gigawatts of solar power in 2026, a 45% increase from 2025.
Ember and African Tech Futures Lab estimate the growth by tracking solar panel imports from China, which supplies 94% of panels installed in Africa.
They estimate that 12 gigawatts were installed in 2025, while the International Renewable Energy Agency recorded 3.8 gigawatts, focusing mainly on large solar farms.
Panels on homes and businesses are often missed, and only 14 of Africa’s 54 countries published solar capacity data for 2025.
The groups estimate that distributed solar, including rooftop panels, accounted for 75% of the continent’s solar growth from 2023 to 2025.
More solar could reduce reliance on diesel generators, which are polluting and have become more expensive.
The researchers say governments need to improve their energy data, while solar is spreading across more African countries.
Africa is expected to install a record 17 GW of solar panels in 2026, a 45% increase from 2025, according to a report by Ember and African Tech Futures Lab.
The report says official statistics miss much of the growth because national data is limited and often excludes rooftop and other distributed solar.
The organizations estimated that African countries installed 12 GW of solar capacity in 2025, while the International Renewable Energy Agency recorded 3.8 GW, mainly from large solar farms.
They used Chinese solar-panel import data to estimate installations, noting that China supplies 94% of panels installed in Africa.
Thirty-six African countries are expected to set installation records in 2026, and 19 are forecast to grow by more than 100% from 2025.
- Who
- Ember and African Tech Futures Lab produced the report. African countries are installing the panels.
- What
- Africa is expected to install a record 17 GW of solar panels in 2026, while official data misses much of the growth.
- When
- The forecast is for 2026, with comparisons to 2025.
- Where
- Across Africa.
- Why
- National data is limited and often misses distributed solar installations. The report used imports of Chinese solar panels to estimate installations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The organizations estimate that African countries installed 12 GW of solar capacity, including panels on rooftops.
Africa is forecast to install 17 GW of solar panels, a 45% increase from 2025.
- Forecast installations
- 17 GW in 2026
- Annual growth
- 45% compared with 2025
- Estimated 2025 installations
- 12 GW
- IRENA's 2025 figure
- 3.8 GW, mainly counting large solar farms
- Chinese share of panels installed in Africa
- 94%
- Countries publishing 2025 solar-capacity data
- 14 of 54
What people are saying
Chinese export data helps give an idea of the correct order of magnitude, but it is not how you would want to calculate it. That is why governments need to focus on improving the data.
Diesel was already not economically viable, but now it is becoming prohibitive. This forces those who generate electricity with diesel to seek alternatives and install solar panels.
Solar panels last 30 years or more, generating significant savings in costs.
Sources
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