Nigeria is accelerating efforts to localise renewable vitality manufacturing, rising put in photo voltaic panel production capability from 120 megawatts (MW) two years in the past to about 300MW, with an extra 3.7 gigawatts (GW) within the pipeline because it positions itself as a West African hub.
Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Company (REA), Dr. Abba Aliyu, disclosed this throughout a webinar hosted by the African Affiliation of Vitality Journalists and Publishers (AJERAP). He mentioned the expansion is pushed by deliberate authorities insurance policies aimed toward attracting non-public sector funding.
In keeping with him, Nigeria secured about $425 million in 2025 to determine eight renewable vitality manufacturing vegetation, whereas regionally produced photo voltaic panels are already being exported from Lagos to Accra, Ghana.
Aliyu attributed rising investor confidence to regulatory reforms, notably the Nigerian Electrical energy Regulatory Fee’s 2026 Mini-Grid Rules. These elevated allowable mini-grid capability from 1MW to 5MW, and as much as 10MW for interconnected methods, enabling bigger renewable tasks. He mentioned the framework additionally simplifies licensing and clarifies grid interactions.
He famous that expanded mini-grid capability may help cross-border electrical energy commerce, particularly in border communities, enhancing regional integration. Whereas the West African Energy Pool is driving grid connectivity, Aliyu referred to as for a complementary off-grid market throughout the area.
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Nigeria’s electrical energy entry mannequin can also be gaining traction throughout Africa. International locations together with Mozambique, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Mauritania and Mauritius are learning the framework for potential adoption.
Aliyu highlighted the Distributed Entry by Renewable Vitality Scale-Up (DARES) programme because the world’s largest publicly funded renewable vitality entry initiative. The programme targets electrical energy entry for 17.5 million Nigerians by connecting over 2.5 million households and deploying 1,350 mini-grids, together with 250 interconnected methods.
Funded with $750 million, the programme is anticipated to draw an extra $1.1 billion in non-public funding by a results-based financing mannequin that requires builders to commit capital upfront.
He mentioned partnerships with establishments corresponding to Citibank Nigeria, Lotus {Bank} and the Worldwide Finance Company underscore rising confidence in Nigeria’s renewable vitality technique.
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