- The Federal Government plans to attract foreign investors to establish solar panel manufacturing facilities in Nigeria before considering import restrictions.
- GIFSEP urges the government to provide affordable financing, enforce quality standards and publish a clear roadmap for local production.
The Federal Government plans to expand Nigeria’s domestic solar panel manufacturing capacity before considering import restrictions, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, has said.
“You can’t ban importation of solar panels if you do not have manufacturing capabilities in the country,” Udeh said during a media briefing. He explained that the government would prioritise local production to protect consumers’ access to affordable solar energy while strengthening the domestic industry.
The minister disclosed that the government was engaging foreign manufacturers and potential investors to establish solar production facilities in Nigeria. Following engagements initiated during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Turkey, Udeh travelled to the country in October 2026 to attract major solar manufacturers. The government expects to sign Memoranda of Understanding with prospective partners.
The initiative also seeks to prevent substandard solar panels and components from entering the Nigerian market. Udeh said the government would strengthen quality controls to ensure that locally manufactured and imported products meet acceptable standards. He added that domestic production could reduce costs by limiting shipping expenses and import duties, while government support could further improve affordability.
To strengthen the industry’s workforce, the government is supporting skills development through the Barefoot Renewable Energy College, which it commissioned in September 2026 to train artisans in solar manufacturing and installation. The initiative aims to improve installation standards, expand the pool of skilled workers and reduce the cost of solar products and services.
The government is also advancing the Renewed Hope Solarisation Project through the Energy Commission of Nigeria. The initiative aims to move federal institutions, including academic institutions, away from dependence on the national electricity grid towards solar power.
Nigeria’s inadequate electricity supply continues to drive households and businesses towards alternative energy sources, including petrol and diesel generators. The Solar Power Nigeria Campaign and the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) noted that the national grid supplies approximately 4,000 to 5,000 megawatts of electricity to a population exceeding 200 million people.
The organisations warned that restricting solar panel imports before domestic manufacturers can meet demand could increase prices and undermine efforts to expand electricity access. They welcomed the government’s approach, which prioritises local manufacturing capacity before introducing import restrictions.
GIFSEP’s Founder and Executive Director, Michael Terungwa David, commended the minister for considering stakeholder recommendations and prioritising consumer interests.
“We commend the Honourable Minister for listening to stakeholders and choosing a path that puts Nigerians first. Building manufacturing capacity before closing the door to imports is the right sequence,” David said.
He noted that stronger quality standards and training through the Barefoot Renewable Energy College could address problems associated with substandard solar products and poor installation practices.
However, David urged the government to publish a clear, time-bound roadmap for expanding domestic manufacturing and gradually reducing import dependence. He called for consultations with industry operators and civil society organisations, alongside incentives and affordable financing for manufacturers, installers and households. He also urged the government to strengthen quality enforcement in collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria.