Powering the Future: Ghana Joins Africa’s Solar Boom Amid Record Imports from China

By Samuel Asamoah

As the sun sets over Accra, the glow of solar panels flickering to life on rooftops across the city tells a story of quiet transformation. From busy chop bars and cold stores in Makola Market to rural schools in the north, Ghanaians are increasingly turning to solar power—part of a record-breaking surge in imports of Chinese solar panels sweeping across Africa.

According to recent trade data, African nations imported 1.57 gigawatts (GW) of solar panels from China in May 2025 alone, more than double the same month last year. While South Africa and Algeria remain the biggest buyers, Ghana is quickly emerging as one of the continent’s fast-rising solar adopters, driven by persistent electricity challenges, high tariffs, and a growing demand for reliable alternatives.

A Nation Battling “Dumsor”

Ghana’s energy sector is no stranger to crisis. Despite nearly 85 percent of its population having access to electricity, millions still face rolling blackouts—popularly called “dumsor.” These power cuts have long disrupted businesses, health services, and education.

For many Ghanaians, solar energy has become a lifeline. Small businesses that once relied on noisy, fuel-guzzling generators are installing rooftop panels and inverters. Families in peri-urban communities now pool resources to buy shared solar systems, keeping the lights on even when the grid fails.

“Solar is no longer a luxury—it’s survival,” says Kwame Adjei, a cold store operator in Kumasi. “My fish used to spoil every time the power went out. Now, even if the grid goes off, my panels keep me running.”

China’s Shadow Over Ghana’s Transition

China dominates Ghana’s solar supply chain. Affordable panels, inverters, and batteries flow through Ghana’s ports daily, making the technology accessible to middle-class households and small-scale enterprises. Yet this dependence raises questions. Analysts warn that Ghana risks replacing one form of dependency—on imported oil and diesel—with another: on Chinese renewable technology.

“We must be careful not to trade fossil fuel dependence for solar dependence,” cautions Dr. Afua Boateng, an energy policy researcher at the University of Energy and Natural Resources. “Ghana has sunlight in abundance. What we lack is manufacturing capacity. Without building local assembly plants, we will always be consumers, not producers.”

The Government’s Ambitions

Ghana’s government has pledged to achieve 10 percent renewable energy in its national mix by 2030, with solar at the forefront. Several large-scale projects, including a 50-megawatt solar plant in Navrongo and smaller mini-grids in remote northern communities, showcase this ambition.

International investors are also circling. The African Development Bank and private firms from Europe and Asia have expressed interest in financing solar farms and battery storage projects, viewing Ghana as a potential renewable energy hub for West Africa. But financing remains a hurdle. Solar adoption is rising fastest among middle-income households and businesses, while poorer rural communities—those most in need—still struggle to afford panels.

Africa’s Bigger Picture

Ghana’s story mirrors a continental trend. Across Africa, from Algeria’s booming solar imports, which rose more than 6,000 percent year-on-year, to Kenya’s off-grid solar startups, renewable energy is becoming the fastest route to electrification. Nearly 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity. For them, solar offers a cheaper, faster solution than building expensive new grids powered by fossil fuels.

Globally, Africa’s solar boom has drawn attention from climate advocates who see the continent as both a frontline of vulnerability and a laboratory for renewable innovation.

The Road Ahead

Experts say Ghana’s future depends on turning this solar surge into sustainable development. That means building local manufacturing capacity for panels and batteries, providing subsidies or flexible loans for rural households to access solar, and strengthening policy incentives to attract global investment in renewable infrastructure.

“Ghana can either remain a buyer of Chinese panels or become a leader in Africa’s solar economy,” says Dr. Boateng. “The sunlight is ours. The question is—will the technology be ours too?”

A Sunlit Future

Back in Accra, as the night deepens, the lights in Kwame’s cold store hum steadily, powered not by the national grid but by the sun that set hours earlier. For him—and millions of Ghanaians—solar power represents more than just electricity. It’s resilience, independence, and a glimpse into Africa’s energy future.