The Nigerian government has announced plans to halt the importation of solar panels in a bid to promote local manufacturing and drive the country’s transition to renewable energy.
The decision, announced by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, aligns with a presidential directive aimed at prioritizing local content in science, engineering, and technology.
Speaking at the launch of the NEV T6 electric buses in Abuja, Nnaji emphasized Nigeria’s capacity to produce solar panels domestically, stating that the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has already begun local production. He projected that as domestic manufacturing scales up, more Nigerian households and institutions would transition to off-grid solar power solutions, reducing reliance on the national grid.
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“We have lithium in abundance here in Nigeria, so Mr. President is already taking action. We are adding value to our raw materials. The lithium we have here will be processed and used as batteries for these vehicles,” Nnaji said, highlighting the government’s broader clean energy ambitions.
Beyond solar panel production, Nnaji noted that the government is developing mini-grid solutions to provide stable electricity for critical sectors, including hospitals, schools, and businesses. He stated that budget allocations have already been made for mini-grids, with visible implementation expected within months.
“In less than three or four months, you will start seeing our hospitals and institutions being powered by solar,” he assured.
Doubts Over NASENI’s Capacity to Meet Local Demand
However, the move to ban solar panel imports has drawn criticism, with many experts questioning NASENI’s capacity to meet the demand that an import restriction would create. Industry stakeholders argue that NASENI’s current production output falls far below what is required to sustain Nigeria’s growing renewable energy market. Concerns have also been raised about the affordability and quality of locally produced panels compared to imported alternatives.
The decision to halt imports comes at a time when Nigeria is witnessing an uptick in solar-powered electricity adoption. The country recently signed a landmark 2,600-megawatt (MW) solar module supply agreement with LONGi Solar France SARL. The modules will be used to power Nigeria’s Green Hydrogen Hub Project in the Liberty Oil & Gas Free Trade Zone in Akwa Ibom State.
According to Nnaji, who facilitated the deal, the project represents one of the largest solar procurement agreements in sub-Saharan Africa and is expected to transform Nigeria into a regional hub for clean energy production. The country aims to drive industrial growth, expand hydrogen exports, and promote clean mobility solutions by leveraging its abundant solar resources.
The project is expected to create over 20,000 direct jobs across engineering, logistics, research and development, and maintenance. It will also support industrial-scale green hydrogen production, which could fuel local industries, power exports, and enable cleaner transport, particularly in the marine and heavy-duty transport sectors.
The LONGi deal marks a major step forward in Nigeria’s renewable energy ambitions. The company, recognized as a global leader in solar technology, holds the world record for solar photovoltaic (PV) efficiency, with its silicon-perovskite tandem cells achieving a 34.6% conversion rate.
Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director General and CEO of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), emphasized that deploying LONGi’s high-efficiency modules in Nigeria’s climate would yield more energy per square meter and deliver faster returns on investment.
“This is precision technology meeting raw African potential—the synergy is transformative,” Abdullahi stated.
The government’s push for solar energy has been evident in recent years, with several other solar deals secured to tackle the country’s erratic power supply. Nigeria has been ramping up investments in off-grid and mini-grid solutions to bridge the electricity gap, particularly in rural areas where access to power remains limited.
However, concerns persist over whether local manufacturing can scale up quickly enough to meet the demands of a rapidly growing renewable energy sector. Industry experts warn that a sudden ban on imported solar panels could disrupt supply chains, increase costs, and slow down Nigeria’s transition to clean energy.
While the government remains committed to fostering local production, analysts note the success of the initiative will depend on the ability of Nigerian manufacturers to match the quality, affordability, and efficiency of imported solar technology.