President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has secured a major renewable energy investment for Nigeria through a strategic partnership with Dutch solar company Solarge BV to establish a 1 gigawatt (GW) solar photovoltaic (PV) panel manufacturing plant in the country.
The agreement, announced on Tuesday, will be executed under a new special purpose vehicle, Solarge Nigeria Limited, which brings together Solarge BV, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and the Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp).
The factory, once operational, will mark a turning point in Nigeria’s transition to clean energy by significantly reducing reliance on imported solar panels. According to the implementation plan, the plant is projected to achieve 50 percent local content within its first three years, ensuring that at least half of the materials and components are sourced or manufactured locally.
Government officials emphasized that the initiative is not only about energy expansion but also about industrial growth. The facility is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and transfer advanced renewable energy technologies to Nigeria.
“This partnership aligns with our national goals of sustainable energy, industrialization, and economic self-reliance,” President Tinubu said during the signing. “Nigeria will no longer just consume renewable technologies; we will manufacture them, compete globally, and empower our people with new skills and opportunities.”
Analysts note that the development could position Nigeria as a leading renewable energy hub in West Africa, improving electricity access for millions while helping the country meet its climate commitments.
Construction timelines and financing details are expected to be released in the coming months, with industry stakeholders already describing the project as one of the most ambitious clean energy manufacturing ventures in sub-Saharan Africa.
