ABUJA, NIGERIA — Nigeria is aiming to develop nearly four gigawatts (4GW) of solar panel manufacturing capacity annually as part of a major strategic shift towards local production and clean energy industrialisation.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, announced the ambitious target at the Nigerian Renewable Energy Innovation Forum 2025 in Abuja. He stated that the government, under President Bola Tinubu, is implementing a “Nigerian First Policy” aimed at transforming the country’s energy focus from simple access to local value creation.
“Through strategic partnerships being formalised here… Nigeria is on track to realise nearly 4 gigawatts per annum of solar manufacturing capacity,” the Minister said.
The policy is designed to ensure that essential components, including solar panels and batteries, are “proudly made in Nigeria.” This aligns with a broader goal of strengthening the country’s energy security and driving industrial self-reliance.
Mr. Adelabu highlighted recent regulatory reforms that have helped to liberalise the electricity sector, including the new Electricity Act 2023, which has decentralised the market and granted 15 states regulatory autonomy.
The Minister also noted that ongoing reforms have already seen average power generation increase from 4,200 megawatts in 2023 to 5,300 megawatts in 2024. To stabilise the sector, the President has approved a ₦4 trillion bond to clear verified debts owed to generation and gas companies.
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) confirmed its role in reversing the country’s reliance on imported solar equipment. The Managing Director of the REA, Abba Aliu, disclosed that the agency expects to secure over $400 million in local manufacturing investment deals during the two-day forum.
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