- Nigeria attracted $425 million to build eight solar manufacturing plants, positioning the country as a renewable energy hub in West Africa.
- A $750 million electrification programme is set to unlock $1.1 billion in private capital, accelerating mini-grid deployment and regional energy access.
Nigeria secured approximately $425 million in 2025 to establish eight renewable energy manufacturing facilities. The investment signals a strong push to expand domestic solar panel production and strengthen the country’s position as a clean energy hub in West Africa.
Abba Aliyu disclosed the development during a webinar hosted by the African Association of Energy Journalists and Publishers. He attributed the inflow to targeted policy reforms aimed at boosting local manufacturing capacity and improving investor confidence.
Nigeria has already increased its solar manufacturing capacity from about 120 megawatts to roughly 300 megawatts. In addition, developers are building another 3.7 gigawatts of capacity. As a result, local production is beginning to support exports. Manufacturers now ship solar panels from Lagos to Accra, marking a shift from import dependence to regional supply.
The government is also advancing the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up initiative, a $750 million electrification programme designed to expand access through mini-grids and decentralised systems. The programme uses a results-based financing model that requires developers to commit capital before accessing incentives.
Financial institutions such as Citibank Nigeria, Lotus Bank, and the International Finance Corporation are supporting the initiative. The programme is expected to mobilise an additional $1.1 billion in private investment.
Nigeria’s approach is also gaining attention across Africa. Countries including Mozambique, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Mauritania, and Mauritius are exploring similar frameworks to expand electricity access.
Although infrastructure gaps and economic uncertainties remain, the scale of investment highlights growing confidence in Nigeria’s long-term renewable energy potential and its role in driving the region’s energy transition.