Nigerian engineering and manufacturing firm Tranos has commenced the construction of a large-scale solar panel production facility with a total capacity of 800 megawatts (MW). This development represents a major step towards localizing the production of solar technology in Nigeria, which currently imports over 90% of its solar panels.
The new facility, which sits on more than 157,000 square metres of land, will house a solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing plant. It will also become the new home for Tranos’ current factories in Lagos, allowing the company to expand production, enhance efficiency, and improve overall output quality.
According to Jude Abalaka, Tranos’ Managing Director, the groundbreaking is not just about building a factory but about investing in Africa’s industrial growth. He emphasized that the project will increase manufacturing capacity, create more jobs, and provide solutions that align with Nigeria’s goals in energy, infrastructure, and industrial development.
The facility will begin with one manufacturing line capable of producing 400MW worth of solar panels annually within 15 to 18 months. The full 800MW production target is expected to be reached by 2027. Tranos also intends to serve the Nigerian market fully and eventually export its products, reducing dependency on imports and easing current supply chain bottlenecks.
Employment is also expected to rise significantly, with Tranos planning to grow its workforce from 160 to 400 in the next two years. In addition, the project has already triggered improvements in surrounding infrastructure, such as road repairs to the plant’s location.
Representing Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Energy Adviser Jide Onakoya commended Tranos for its role in supporting Nigeria’s drive toward industrialization. He also highlighted the impact of solar energy initiatives in cutting public lighting costs and improving electricity access for underserved areas.
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Abubakar Aliyu, reiterated the government’s push to turn Nigeria into a hub for renewable energy in Africa. He pointed to initiatives like the $750 million World Bank-funded DARES Programme, which aims to encourage private sector investment in the country’s clean energy transition.
