Nigeria has entered into a strategic partnership with Dutch renewable energy company Solarge BV to set up a one-gigawatt (GW) solar panel manufacturing factory in the country. The project is expected to cut carbon emissions, boost local production, and generate new jobs while accelerating Nigeria’s shift toward clean energy.
The agreement, signed in Abuja, brings together the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp), and Solarge BV under a new joint venture named Solarge Nigeria Limited. The company will be responsible for developing and running the facility, which is designed to become a hub for solar photovoltaic (PV) production in Africa.
REA managing director, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, explained that the factory aims to achieve 50 percent local content within its first three years of operation. He added that the agency has committed to purchasing 200 megawatts of solar modules annually for the next five years, which will be used to power government institutions and rural electrification projects. According to him, the initiative will reduce dependence on diesel and support the country’s decarbonisation goals.
InfraCorp’s CEO, Dr. Lazarus Angbazo, described the partnership as a milestone for Nigeria’s industrialisation drive. He noted that local solar manufacturing will not only strengthen energy independence but also contribute to the country’s long-term economic sustainability.
Solarge BV’s chief executive, Joost Brinkman, said the Dutch company is bringing advanced technology and experience to ensure the project sets a benchmark for solar manufacturing in Africa. “This plant will be built by Nigerians and for Nigerians,” he stated.
The project is part of the federal government’s broader National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative (NPSSI), launched in August 2025. The NPSSI seeks to roll out solar systems across schools, hospitals, government offices, and security posts nationwide.
Budget Office director general, Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi, emphasised that the collaboration aligns with the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund by deepening Nigeria’s industrial base while promoting energy self-reliance.
Governance of Solarge Nigeria Limited will include a board representing all partners and an independent director, with a project management office in place to ensure smooth delivery and regulatory compliance.
The factory is expected to play a central role in Nigeria’s clean energy future, providing reliable power, cutting emissions, and laying the foundation for homegrown renewable energy technology.
