China’s low-cost solar panels are driving the energy transformation in Africa. The global renewable energy boom of the last decade has been felt only slightly in African countries. While traditional energy sources such as coal and oil remain the main energy sources on the continent, the affordable panels offered by Chinese companies are changing this.

The Chinese are back with affordable solar panels

Solar panel sales from China have reached record levels. According to the latest data, African countries purchased 1.57 gigawatts of solar panels from China in May 2025. This is the largest monthly purchase volume ever recorded. Analyst Dave Jones notes that relatively smaller African countries accounted for a significant portion of these purchases.

This figure has doubled in some countries compared to last year. Algeria purchased 0.76 gigawatts of panels in the first half of the year, a 6300% increase compared to the previous year. A smaller country like Chad, with its purchases this year, has reached a capacity that would transform almost its entire energy infrastructure.

This shift by African countries is driven not by concerns about climate change, but by economic considerations. Panels sold at very competitive prices by Chinese companies offer these countries the opportunity to reduce energy costs.

Most of the panels are purchased directly by citizens or local governments and installed on rooftops. A similar transformation has previously occurred in Pakistan and South Africa. Now, smaller African countries are following suit.

One of the biggest obstacles to this transformation is Donald Trump’s energy policies. During his presidency, the US’s restrictions on Chinese purchases have put Chinese manufacturers in a difficult position. There are concerns that this decline in demand will be reflected in pricing policies and disrupt the transformation in Africa. However, the current outlook appears quite positive.