Small-scale importers are driving a 60% surge in solar adoption across Africa, transforming large module deliveries into practical, decentralized energy solutions and creating jobs and technical skills. Companies like Joule Energy Solutions in South Africa exemplify this trend by supplying installers and co-developing products for local conditions.

• Africa imported 15,032 megawatts of solar modules in the year leading up to June 2025, a 60% increase from the previous year.
• Joule Energy Solutions, founded in 2020 by Francois Boonzaaier, is a key importer and distributor of solar equipment in South Africa.
• The continent's import surge saw imports outside South Africa nearly triple from 3,734 MW to 11,248 MW over the last two years, with 20 countries setting new import records.
• Nigeria and Kenya lead in off-grid and distributed renewables, each supporting approximately 50,000 jobs in 2021.