Are solar panels from China booming Africa's energy transition?

19/12/2025 32 min

Listen "Are solar panels from China booming Africa's energy transition?"

Episode Synopsis

For years, critics in Washington and Brussels have warned about China producing "too many" solar panels. But could this so-called "overcapacity" actually be the key to solving Africa's energy crisis?

A recent report by global energy think tank Ember shows that Africa’s imports of Chinese solar panels surged by 60% in the year leading up to June, marking the first signs of a solar take-off across the continent.

Zhao Ying speaks with Dave Jones, co-founder of Ember and the author of this report, to explore the potential for solar energy to transform Africa's energy landscape.