Zoom Africa: Solar panels light up African future

Villagers celebrate after the official inauguration of the "Rural Solar" project built by a Chinese company in Songmimbias, the Central Region of Cameroon on Oct. 8, 2025. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)

YAOUNDE, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- In early October, several villages nestled in the tropical rainforests of Cameroon's Central Region came alive with music and dance, as locals celebrated the official inauguration of the "Rural Solar" project built by a Chinese company.

For the first time, residents can gather under bright electric lights to watch the "Indomitable Lions" on television and cheer for their national team together.

The solar project aims to provide off-grid power to 1,000 rural communities across Cameroon. Rows of photovoltaic panels now stretch across rainforests and arid plains alike, bringing light and hope to thousands of households.

Across Africa, these solar panels are not only transforming the continent's energy landscape but also profoundly changing the lives and futures of millions of its people.

CHINESE PHOTOVOLTAIC PRODUCTS FOR AFRICAN HOMES

Electricity shortages have long been a source of suffering for Emmanuel Tabe, a resident of Buea, the capital of Cameroon's Southwest region.

"Sometimes we were without electricity for two or three weeks. The refrigerator didn't work, the food spoiled every day, and my children couldn't study in the evenings," said the 44-year-old father of four.

Yet all that is now a thing of the past, thanks to solar products from China.

Today, solar-powered streetlights are a common sight in Buea, where Tabe is fondly known as the "Chinese Solar Man."

About eight years ago, he discovered solar-powered products and began traveling to China to buy and resell them to residents of Cameroon. His family now relies on them for lighting, cooking, and air conditioning.

"A big advantage is that we have electricity all day long," Tabe said.

Dickson Njamshi, who also sells solar products in Buea, said residents feel much safer at night with the well-functioning streetlights.

"People used to be afraid to go out at night because of the darkness. Now they go out and walk around, and the nighttime economy is also growing," said the 33-year-old shopkeeper, whose store is just a few meters from Tabe's. "Solar energy has brought life back to Buea, and I think the situation is improving."

Marie Njie, who visited Njamshi's shop to buy a solar battery, said Chinese solar products have made her life much easier. "I pump water and cook using solar energy. It's very simple and affordable. I no longer have a shortage of electricity," she said.

Another customer, Dieudonne Mbah, 28, agreed. "Since the arrival of these solar panels, we have enjoyed continuous power, day and night. Children can now study in the evenings, and everything is much simpler."

Like Njie and Mbah, these small photovoltaic panels have brightened the lives of many others.

SOLAR POWER FUELS DEVELOPMENT

About 9 km west of Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), lies the town of Bimbo 4, where 33,432 solar panels, each nearly 2 square meters in size, spread over a field of about 16 hectares, provide daily electricity to Bangui's factories, schools, and households after converting sunlight into energy.

The Sakai photovoltaic power plant, called the "Solar Field" by locals, is a Chinese-aided project built by China Energy Engineering Group Tianjin Electric Power Construction Co., Ltd. (TEPC). It started supplying electricity to the power grid in 2022, helping to alleviate Bangui's energy deficit and advancing its social and economic development.

Official data shows that the plant can now meet 30 percent of the city's electricity needs.

Emmanuel-Boris Yandouandji, a 32-year-old father of two and a tenant in Bangui, testifies to the changes brought about by the plant. "The nighttime economy is also growing. A member of my family has a small restaurant open in the evening. The Solar Field has brought new life to the area, and I think the situation is improving."

The Chinese photovoltaic industry provides a steady supply of electricity to support the development of many African countries.

In Kenya, the 50MW Garissa solar power plant, developed by China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economics, generates more than 76 million kWh of electricity a year.

On June 30, a 100MW solar photovoltaic project in Kabwe, Zambia, was successfully connected to the national grid.

As the largest single-site solar photovoltaic plant in Zambia, it is expected to generate 180 million kWh of electricity per year, ensuring a stable and reliable supply of electricity for the modernization of the country's mining and agricultural sectors.

BRIGHTER, GREENER FUTURE FOR CHINA-AFRICAN COMMUNITY

China has always supported Africa's efforts toward green development. Thanks to cooperation between Chinese and African companies, the cumulative installed capacity of photovoltaic power plants has exceeded 1.5 gigawatts.

The work continues.

The "Africa Solar Belt," a South-South cooperation project aimed at combating climate change, officially launched by China at the Africa Climate Summit in September 2023, has been expanding to several African countries, including Chad.

Timothee Madjitoloum, who lives in Doba, in southern Chad, said he hopes the project would soon reach his village.

"We have high hopes for this photovoltaic system, because we now rely on a barely functioning electricity grid, which significantly hinders our daily lives and productive activities," he said. "We are confident that this project will revitalize both our livelihoods and our economic efforts."

In Cameroon, Chinese telecom giant Huawei is advancing the third phase of the "Rural Solar" off-grid project.

Since Huawei Cameroon signed a contract with the Ministry of Water Resources and Energy in 2012, nearly 500 solar power stations have been built and put into commercial operation, with a total installed capacity of 32.8MW and an annual cumulative power generation of 47.9 GWh.

"These solar power stations not only supply electricity to villagers but also share surplus energy with local telecom operators, ensuring mobile network coverage in rural areas," project manager Li Yanqing said. "The stations reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 36,000 tonnes each year, which is equivalent to planting 100,000 trees."

China is willing to work with Africa to promote global climate governance, uphold the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities, and urges developed countries to acknowledge their historical responsibilities, fulfill their obligations and provide financial, technological, and capacity-building support to developing nations, particularly those in Africa, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said early this year.

China is committed to working hand in hand with African partners to advance the Partnership Action for Green Development, implement clean energy projects proposed at the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and promote the "Africa Solar Belt" program, helping Africa embark on a path of green and low-carbon development," Wang told Chinese media following his visits in January to Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad and Nigeria. ■

Aerial photo taken on Oct. 8, 2025 shows a solar power station in Nkelassi, in the Centre Region of Cameroon. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)

Aerial photo taken on Oct. 8, 2025 shows a solar power station in Songmimbias, in the Central Region of Cameroon. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)

Villagers watch television at their home in Songmimbias, the Central Region of Cameroon on Oct. 8, 2025, after the official inauguration of the "Rural Solar" project built by a Chinese company. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)

A woman turns on a light for the first time at her home in Nkelassi, the Central Region of Cameroon, on Oct. 8, 2025, after the official inauguration of the "Rural Solar" project built by a Chinese company. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)

Aerial photo taken on Oct. 8, 2025 shows a solar power station in Songmimbias, in the Central Region of Cameroon. (Photo by Kepseu/Xinhua)