Solar installations in Africa grew 45% in 2026, reaching a historic high of 17 gigawatts. This growth represents a significant advance in the adoption of solar energy on the African continent.
Three quarters of the forecast growth should come from distributed solar energy, which mainly includes small and medium-scale systems. This form of solar energy has proven particularly important for regions with limited access to traditional electricity grids.
About 94% of solar panels installed in Africa are imported from China. This dependence on Chinese imports raises questions about the supply chain and the development of local manufacturing capabilities on the African continent.



