Ethiopia: Market for Solar Cells and Light-Emitting Diodes 2025

Market Size for Solar Cells and Light-Emitting Diodes in Ethiopia

The Ethiopian market for solar cells and light-emitting diodes fell dramatically to $X in 2022, declining by -26.9% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption showed a pronounced contraction. Solar cells and light-emitting diodes consumption peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Solar Cells and Light-Emitting Diodes

Exports from Ethiopia

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of solar cells and light-emitting diodes, when their volume decreased by -6% to X units. Overall, exports, however, showed a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 764%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X units. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, solar cells and light-emitting diodes exports reduced to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 832%. The exports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Germany (X units) was the main destination for solar cells and light-emitting diodes exports from Ethiopia, accounting for a 87% share of total exports. Moreover, solar cells and light-emitting diodes exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Ghana (X units), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Germany totaled +26.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Ghana (+39.8% per year) and Burkina Faso (-0.2% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the key foreign market for solar cells and light-emitting diodes exports from Ethiopia, comprising 83% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Burkina Faso ($X), with a 9.2% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Germany stood at +18.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Burkina Faso (+2.2% per year) and Ghana (+13.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for solar cells and light-emitting diodes stood at $X per unit in 2022, surging by 4.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 156% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Burkina Faso ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Germany ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Burkina Faso (+2.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Imports of Solar Cells and Light-Emitting Diodes

Imports into Ethiopia

Solar cells and light-emitting diodes imports into Ethiopia dropped significantly to X units in 2022, declining by -28.3% against 2021 figures. Overall, imports showed a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 130% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X units in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, solar cells and light-emitting diodes imports shrank rapidly to $X in 2022. In general, imports recorded a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 106% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X units) constituted the largest supplier of solar cells and light-emitting diodes to Ethiopia, with a 89% share of total imports. It was followed by Turkey (X units), with a 2.4% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from China totaled -2.9%.

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of solar cells and light-emitting diodes to Ethiopia, comprising 81% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Turkey ($X), with a 1.6% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from China amounted to -5.2%.

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for solar cells and light-emitting diodes stood at $X per unit in 2022, surging by 3.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average import price increased by 19% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per unit in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per unit), while the price for Turkey amounted to $X per unit.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (-2.3%).

Source: IndexBox Platform