British think tank ODIGlobal recently released a report highlighting China’s growing focus on renewable energy projects in Africa’s energy investment landscape. Solar and wind energy initiatives now account for 59% of China’s energy projects on the continent.
The report indicates that between 2010 and 2024, one-fifth of China’s total energy sector activity and one-fifth of its renewable energy investments and construction projects occurred in Africa, totaling $66 billion in investments. Africa has emerged as a pivotal market for China’s solar and wind energy technologies, with exports of related technologies surging by 153% from 2020 to 2024.
Notably, amid a global decline in photovoltaic (PV) module exports, Africa stands as the only region to achieve positive growth. Customs data reveal that global PV module exports fell by 8% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, while the African market bucked the trend. Specifically, among China’s top five single-country destinations for PV module exports in March 2025, their combined imports accounted for approximately 41% of the global market. Regionally, shipments to Africa increased. In the first quarter of 2025, only the African market showed growth in procurement, with other markets performing weaker than the previous year. South Africa and Morocco emerged as Africa’s fastest-growing markets for PV energy. South Africa imported 0.41GW in March, a 58% year-on-year increase, representing 31% of the African market, and 0.9GW in the first quarter, ranking first in Africa. Morocco imported 0.14GW in March, accounting for 10%, driven by sustained demand for distributed PV projects.
Multiple factors underpin Africa’s PV growth. Firstly, the demand for energy accessibility is a critical driver. With only 73% electricity coverage across Africa, PV technology has become a vital solution to address energy shortages, particularly in sub-Saharan regions reliant on distributed PV and microgrids. Secondly, policy and financing support provide robust safeguards. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has set a target to add 720MW of renewable energy capacity in Africa, with China accelerating project implementation through public financing (accounting for 85% of Africa’s renewable energy investments). Lastly, technological adaptability meets local needs. The African market prefers small off-grid systems, with China’s exports primarily comprising lightweight, easy-to-install residential and commercial PV systems, aligning with the continent’s decentralized energy consumption demands.
International institutions project that Africa needs to install an additional 125GW of PV capacity by 2030 to achieve universal electricity access, presenting vast market prospects for Chinese PV enterprises. Through localized cooperation and technological innovation, Chinese PV firms are poised to further expand their market share in Africa.
However, the growth of Africa’s PV sector faces significant challenges, particularly weak infrastructure, especially in grid networks. Strengthening Africa’s power grid infrastructure and enhancing energy transmission and distribution capabilities will be crucial tasks for future China-Africa energy cooperation.
