- FG and Huawei unveiled a mini-grid testing centre to eliminate substandard solar products and support local manufacturing.
- The Abuja-based lab will certify solar components, simulate climate conditions, and strengthen investor confidence.
The Federal Government has launched a $150,000 Mini-grid Simulation and Standardisation Centre to improve solar product quality and attract local manufacturing investment in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector.
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) unveiled the advanced facility at its Abuja headquarters. Chinese tech giant Huawei funded and donated the centre under a bilateral agreement signed during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to China in September 2024.
REA’s Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, announced the development on Sunday. He said the centre would be a national certification hub for off-grid solar components. “This facility allows us to test solar panels, batteries, and other components under simulated environmental conditions like extreme temperatures and humidity,” Aliyu explained. “We can now identify and reject substandard or second-hand equipment entering our market.”
The government signed a memorandum of understanding with Huawei during President Tinubu’s diplomatic mission as part of broader China-Nigeria cooperation. Aliyu described the testing centre as a direct outcome of that agreement and a significant step toward achieving Nigeria’s ambition to become Africa’s renewable energy hub.
By launching this centre, the REA aims to boost investor confidence and create a level playing field for local manufacturers. “We can’t expect quality manufacturers to survive if they must compete with cheap, inferior imports,” Aliyu said. “With this centre, we can enforce certification standards that support local industry growth.”
The facility features 18 high-end machines, including power analysers, pyranometers, battery testers, and climate simulation devices, many of which are being introduced in Nigeria for the first time. Huawei confirmed that the total equipment cost is $150,000, which the company covers.
Aliyu also revealed that the REA will establish similar centres across its zonal offices to expand testing capabilities nationwide.
REA’s Executive Director of Technical Services, Umar Umar, praised the centre for its transformative development. “Our engineers used to test solar panels manually or move them from site to site,” Umar said. “Now, we can simulate the climate conditions of any region in Nigeria, or even other countries, all within one lab.”
Huawei Nigeria Board Director Zhang Jing reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s clean energy goals. “This project reflects Huawei’s dedication to closing Nigeria’s electricity gap through dependable renewable energy solutions,” Zhang said. “We designed these systems to withstand Nigeria’s diverse weather and strengthen mini-grid reliability in rural areas.”
Zhang added that the centre would also serve as a training, certification, and long-term capacity-building platform.
The REA confirmed it will open the facility to government agencies, private sector players, and academic institutions for product testing, training, and research.
By launching this centre, the Federal Government has taken a crucial step toward regulating solar quality, promoting local content, and building a resilient renewable energy ecosystem in Nigeria.
“We mean business,” Aliyu concluded. “Every mini-grid we deploy in unserved and underserved communities must meet global standards and deliver long-term impact.”