In a policy shift aimed at balancing local manufacturing with energy access, the Nigerian government has suspended its earlier plans to ban the importation of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.
Speaking at a recent roundtable, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, clarified that the proposed ban is not immediate and will only be enforced once Nigeria’s solar manufacturing sector is strong enough to meet local demand.
“We are not banning solar importation for now. We are incentivising our local manufacturing for us to take over. But for now, we cannot address the needs of the country,” Aliyu stated.
While Nigeria has started solar panel production, Aliyu noted that the current output—about 600 megawatts—is insufficient. He revealed that Nigerians spent over N200 billion on importing solar panels, adding that the REA is working to boost domestic production, including plans for a lithium battery assembly plant in Lagos.
The shift comes amid growing pressure to support local industries. The Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, had earlier hinted at a ban to promote solar panel manufacturing through the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). However, Aliyu clarified that the policy is still under consideration and will not take effect soon.
Meanwhile, in a major empowerment drive, the federal government—through the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CreditCorp)—has launched a N5 billion Clean Energy Fund aimed at providing solar home systems to women across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
CreditCorp’s Managing Director, Uzoma Nwagba, said the fund, known as the Credit Access for Light and Mobility (CALM) Fund, is designed to offer affordable clean energy solutions for women’s homes and businesses.
“The initiative provides a pathway for women to earn, save, and build a verifiable credit history,” Nwagba explained. “This is how consumer credit should work, unlocking everyday possibilities for better living.”
The fund will also help women access other life-changing products, including mobility solutions, digital devices, and micro machinery. Applications for the CALM Fund are now open via partner financial institutions.
This policy update reflects the government’s two-pronged approach: nurturing local solar panel manufacturing while ensuring Nigerians—especially women—can access clean, reliable energy today.
