- PowerChina/I²-ESS and Katar Communications signed an MoU to expand renewable energy in Northern Nigeria, focusing on Kano State.
- The partnership aims to provide reliable solar power, train local engineers, and promote sustainable, certified solutions.
PowerChina/I²-ESS and Katar Communications have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand renewable energy deployment across Northern Nigeria, with a focus on Kano State. Global Director of PowerChina/I²-ESS, Sammi Zhou, and Chief Executive Officer of Katar Communications, Ambassador Mohammed Salisu Ibrahim, formalised the agreement at the Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference in Lagos.
The partnership aims to accelerate access to clean and reliable electricity in underserved communities, leveraging PowerChina’s engineering expertise and Katar Communications’ market presence in Northern Nigeria. Zhou described the collaboration as a strategic milestone in PowerChina I²-ESS’s efforts to deepen its footprint in Nigeria while promoting sustainable development through local partnerships.
“Working with trusted firms like Katar Communications allows us to achieve our mandate, especially in Kano State and other parts of Northern Nigeria,” Zhou said, noting that the company provides after-sales support, technology transfer, and local engineer training. She added that PowerChina has been operating in Nigeria for more than 10 years and maintains after-sales centres that also serve as training hubs, ensuring long-term sustainability and skill development.
Zhou said the firm seeks to empower local industries, train Nigerian engineers, and expand renewable infrastructure across Africa, starting with Northern Nigeria. “Our goal is not just to build projects but to build people and local capacity. Kano and the wider northern region are key to this vision,” she added.
Ambassador Ibrahim stated that Katar Communications partnered with PowerChina due to its global certification standards and reputation for quality. “As a Rural Electrification Agency-certified company, any product we deploy must meet global standards. PowerChina fits perfectly,” he said. He noted the firms previously implemented a 250kW installation and ongoing mini-grid projects for rural communities in Northern Nigeria.
Ibrahim added that Katar Communications’ extensive customer base in Kano State provides a solid platform for expansion. “Our flexible payment system allows customers to spread payments, making renewable energy solutions more affordable,” he said, emphasising that after-sales service and trained local engineers remain central to operations.
Both companies reaffirmed their commitment to quality, sustainability, and capacity building in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector. The partnership is expected to advance Nigeria’s clean energy transition and bridge the electricity access gap in the northern corridor through reliable, affordable, and locally supported solar solutions.