China’s solar exports to Africa rose sharply in April 2026, highlighting the continent’s growing appetite for renewable energy amid expanding electrification projects and rising investments in clean energy infrastructure.
According to China customs data released on Wednesday and reported, exports of solar cells and panels to African countries increased by 83 per cent year-on-year to 123,787 metric tons in April 2026, compared with 67,552 tons recorded in April 2025.
Despite the strong annual growth, shipments declined from the March 2026 peak of 209,474 tons, reflecting a slowdown after global buyers rushed to secure supplies ahead of China’s decision to end its solar export tax refund policy from April 1. The anticipated removal of the tax rebate had triggered a surge in pre-policy purchases amid expectations of higher export prices.
The customs data showed that China’s global solar exports rose 60 per cent year-on-year on a per-unit basis, even as export volumes moderated across several regions after March’s spike. Exports to Southeast Asia climbed 75 per cent year-on-year to 170,733 tons in April, although this was significantly lower than the 336,891 tons shipped in March.
Trade flows also pointed to changing global demand patterns, with Europe and Asia continuing to dominate import volumes while Africa emerged as one of the fastest-growing destinations for Chinese solar products. The Netherlands remained the world’s largest importer by volume and a major transhipment hub into Europe, receiving 177,391 tons in April despite a 2.5 per cent year-on-year decline, with shipments valued at 380.8 million dollars.
The Philippines also remained a major buyer after a strong surge in March, although imports eased to 56,744 tons in April from 111,599 tons recorded the previous month following earlier pre-tariff purchases. In Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo posted one of the sharpest increases in demand, with imports rising 482 per cent year-on-year to 17,953 tons, while South Africa, one of the continent’s largest solar markets, increased imports by 81.4 per cent year-on-year.
The sharp rise in Chinese solar exports to Africa underscores the continent’s expanding role in global renewable energy demand, driven by efforts to improve electricity access and accelerate the deployment of off-grid and utility-scale solar projects.
Recent figures from energy think tank Ember showed that Nigeria emerged as Africa’s second-largest solar importer in 2025 as total African solar imports climbed 60 per cent year-on-year to 15,032 megawatts, up from 9,379 megawatts recorded in the previous 12 months.
Earlier,it was reported that Nigeria recorded a major increase in solar panel imports amid rising adoption of renewable energy solutions across Africa.
The Federal Government had also announced plans in 2025 to halt the importation of solar panels as part of efforts to boost local manufacturing capacity and support Nigeria’s clean energy transition strategy.
Boluwatife Enome
