The Nigerian Federal Government has postponed its proposed ban on photovoltaic solar panel imports, opting for a gradual approach to bolster domestic manufacturing, according to the Managing Director and CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu.
In an interview, Aliyu clarified that no immediate import restrictions are under consideration, according The Punch.
While Nigeria has begun producing solar panels locally, he noted that current production capacity falls short of the country’s needs to expand power generation and achieve universal energy access.
This development follows remarks by the Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Naji, who recently emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting local solar panel production through the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure.
Nnaji had suggested potential restrictions on imports to strengthen domestic manufacturers.
“With NASENI here, you know that we have panels. It has a factory that has started producing solar panels, and other private individuals are also producing solar panels as we speak. So, all we need to do is, even through science and technology, through our Presidential Executive Order No. 5, we will stop all these importations of solar panels. We will support our local industries to grow,” Nnaji said.
During a recent roundtable discussion with the Lagos State Government, Aliyu highlighted ongoing efforts to boost local manufacturing of renewable energy equipment in Nigeria.
The move aims to reduce dependence on imports and establish a self-sufficient clean energy industry.
“Over N200bn has been spent on the importation of PV panels into the country. While there is a need for that importation, one of the key things our agency is striving for is domestic manufacturing of this renewable equipment. Lagos, being the centre of excellence, is going to lead a total war in that domestication,” he said.
However, Aliyu clarified that the comments did not imply an immediate ban.
He emphasized that the restriction would only take effect once domestic production capacity meets local demand for PV panels.
“We are not banning solar importation for now. We are incentivising our own local manufacturing for us to take over. But for now, we do not have the capacity to address the needs of the country.
“Nevertheless, it does not mean that we should take our eye off incentivising local manufacturing and assembly. It’s part of the mandate of the minister that we must catalyse manufacturing. And that is why we are working.
“I can tell you the number of projects that we catalyse. We have close to a 600-megawatt capacity of PV panel manufacturing. We are working to catalyse the investment of the Lithium battery assembly plant in Lagos at the Lekki Free Zone.
“We are in discussion with an oil and gas company that wants to come to the renewable 14-stage manufacturing of lithium batteries. These are things that we are pushing and we are hoping to make them a reality,” Aliyu said.
Nigerians recently expressed concern over the government’s plan to ban the importation of solar panels as a measure to promote domestic production.
