African countries are ramping up local production of solar panels and clean-energy technologies as they work to reduce dependence on foreign imports and capture more value from the fast-growing renewable energy sector.
At COP30, African delegates emphasized that the continent is shifting from being a passive buyer of clean-energy hardware to becoming an active manufacturer. Carlos Lopes, the African Union’s special envoy to the summit, said Africa’s vast mineral reserves — including major global shares of cobalt, lithium, and manganese — should support local industries rather than solely supplying factories abroad.
Recent data shows the scale of current dependence. Between June 2024 and June 2025, Nigeria imported about 1.7 gigawatts of Chinese solar panels, making it Africa’s second-largest importer after South Africa. China supplied roughly 60% of the continent’s solar imports during that period.
African governments and energy experts argue that building manufacturing capacity at home would keep more revenue circulating within local economies. Analysts say countries can retain up to 60% of the solar value chain by assembling panels locally while importing key components such as battery cells.
Several nations have started moving in that direction. Morocco, South Africa, and Egypt are expanding domestic solar assembly plants, with Egypt working on three new manufacturing facilities in partnership with Asian cleantech companies — including a 3-gigawatt plant led by Singapore’s EliTe Solar. Nigeria recently signed an agreement with Chinese solar giant LONGi to establish a factory capable of producing 500 to 1,000 megawatts of panels annually.
Nigeria is also home to one of West Africa’s fastest-growing solar manufacturers, Salpha Energy. From its plant in Calabar, the company produces solar home systems, energy-storage units, fans, and lighting products. Since its launch in 2017, Salpha has supplied solar solutions to more than two million homes and businesses and aims to assemble up to 300,000 systems each year. The company has already begun exporting its Made-in-Nigeria products to Ghana, testing the potential for regional clean-energy trade.
These developments support Nigeria’s broader plan to secure 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. While the national grid remains dominated by natural gas, the government is promoting rural electrification projects using standalone solar systems and mini-grids. A recent $200 million agreement with the World Bank and other partners will help expand solar access in underserved communities.
Though Africa is not yet a global manufacturing powerhouse in renewable energy, momentum is building. Leaders say that increased technology transfer, investment in local factories, and smarter use of the continent’s mineral wealth will help African countries shape their own clean-energy future instead of relying on imported solutions.
