Nigeria drew about $425 million in 2025 to set up eight solar manufacturing plants to grow local production and supply nearby West African markets.

The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, said the investment followed policies aimed at strengthening local renewable energy manufacturing and attracting private investors.

Nigeria’s solar production capacity has increased from about 120MW to around 300MW, with 3.7GW of projects in progress. Panels made in Lagos are already being exported to Ghana, showing a shift from imports to regional supply.

Several countries – Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Benin, Niger, Chad, Mauritania and Mauritius are studying Nigeria’s approach to expand electricity access through decentralised renewable systems.

A $750 million programme focused on mini-grids and off-grid power is also expected to attract another $1.1 billion in private funding, with support from Citibank Nigeria, Lotus Bank and the International Finance Corporation.