In a major boost for renewable energy adoption in Nigeria’s retail sector, Justrite Superstores and Empower New Energy have inked a new $11 million agreement to expand solar energy solutions across 21 of Justrite’s locations in southwestern Nigeria.
This new phase of the partnership launched after a successful first phase in 2024 will add solar and battery systems to 11 more Justrite outlets in Lagos and Ogun states. With 10 stores already running on hybrid solar setups, the expansion strengthens Justrite’s commitment to sustainability and clean energy leadership in the retail industry.
“We’ve seen the cost savings and energy reliability firsthand,” said Ayo Aderinwale, founder and chairman of Justrite Superstores. “This second phase was a natural next step.”
The solar rollout is powered by a collaboration between Empower New Energy and its technical partner, Powercell Limited. The systems integrate solar photovoltaic panels with Huawei-supplied battery storage, reducing diesel use and shielding operations from Nigeria’s unstable grid.
Phase II will deliver an additional 2,800 kWp of solar capacity and 5,600 kWh of battery storage, expected to generate over 8,000 MWh of clean energy per year. That translates into an annual reduction of about 4,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions and roughly 130 new jobs created across the value chain.
“This project shows the power of bold private sector action on climate,” said Terje Osmundsen, CEO of Empower New Energy. “It’s a great example of how commercial partnerships can move the needle on clean energy.”
The initiative supports Nigeria’s climate targets under the Paris Agreement, which includes a 47% cut in national emissions by 2030. With energy production accounting for the bulk of Nigeria’s emissions, projects like this one are critical.
Founded in 2001, Justrite has grown into Nigeria’s top family-owned retail chain with 31 stores and over 2,000 employees. Its move to solar reinforces a broader strategy of local sourcing and responsible business growth.
The expansion is also backed by blended finance, with contributions from Norfund and Climate Investor One, co-funded by the EU, helping scale up climate-resilient infrastructure across Africa.
