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Africa Urged to Build Clean-Energy Manufacturing

A UNDP official called on the continent to produce clean-energy technology rather than depend on imports.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Energy

Vector-style editorial illustration of stacked solar panel modules and battery cells beside an open shipping crate on a bare concrete floor, in coral, teal, and mustard.
A UNDP official urged Africa on Tuesday to build its own clean-energy manufacturing, noting the continent holds about 60 percent of the world's solar resources yet imports 94 percent of its installed panels from China. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should African governments prioritize building local clean-energy manufacturing over importing technology?

At a virtual Pan-African policy conference, UNDP official Riyad Mehdeb urged Africa to become a manufacturer of clean-energy technologies. The conference was co-hosted by Warwick Business School and CEPREC and themed 'Turning the Lights On: Unlocking Circular Value Chains for Africa's Renewable Energy Transition.'

Why it matters

Africa holds approximately 60 per cent of the world's solar resources yet depends heavily on imported equipment, with 94 per cent of installed solar panels coming from China. Developing local manufacturing and repair capacity could shift where economic value from the energy transition is created.

Presented figures show Africa imports most of its installed solar panels, with 94 per cent coming from China, at a cost of about $2.4 billion over the 12 months to June. African infrastructure loans reportedly carry default rates of about two per cent, but the source does not say how these compare with other regions.

The players

Riyad Mehdeb

Riyad Mehdeb is an official of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) who spoke at the conference.

Warwick Business School

Warwick Business School is the business school of the University of Warwick in England, which co-hosted the conference.

CEPREC

CEPREC is an organization that co-hosted the Pan-African policy conference alongside Warwick Business School.

The details

Speakers proposed that Africa develop local value chains to manufacture, maintain, repair and recycle clean-energy technologies, and combine locally generated renewable power with artificial intelligence to run data infrastructure. The presenters also noted that increasing numbers of solar panels, batteries and electronic devices are expected to become obsolete.

Timeline

  1. The conference was held virtually; the 12-month import figure covers the period ending June.

Big Picture

The UNDP's push for African renewable energy value chains extends its earlier focus on deploying clean power toward building local manufacturing capacity. The call arrives as Africa's imports of solar equipment remain heavily concentrated in China.

For readers in the energy sector, the call signals potential opportunities in local solar manufacturing, repair and recycling across Africa. Consumers and businesses relying on imported panels and batteries may face shifting costs as local supply chains develop.

The takeaway

Local manufacturing, repair and recycling could let Africa capture more value from a transition it currently powers largely with imported equipment. Tracking investment in circular value chains will show whether that potential is realized.

Further reading

For more on the continent's power sector, explore Energy coverage.

Live Poll

Should African governments prioritize building local clean-energy manufacturing over importing technology?