Nigeria plans to ban solar panel imports to promote local manufacturing and create jobs, according to Bloomberg. Minister of Power Nasir El-Rufai said President Bola Tinubu’s administration is pursuing this goal as part of its strategy to address the country’s energy crisis.
A Push for Local Manufacturing
Power Minister Nasir El-Rufai detailed the new government regulations aiming to halt solar panel imports during a Bloomberg interview in New York. He explained that this policy would be similar to Nigeria’s previous prohibition on cement imports, which successfully spurred local production and job creation.
Stressing the need for domestic production, El-Rufai said, “We want to produce solar panels ourselves.” The government will introduce local manufacturing requirements for solar companies to stimulate the economy. “The government will not ban you,” he explained, “but you will have to manufacture here.”
Although Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil producer, it struggles with frequent power outages. The national grid, operated by 11 power distribution companies, has a capacity of just 4,500 megawatts—hardly enough for a country of over 200 million people.
Nigeria’s Ambitious Solar Energy Goals
Currently, less than 1% of Nigeria’s electricity comes from solar power, but the government aims to increase this to 30% by 2030. To achieve this ambitious target, the country plans to add 20,000 megawatts of solar energy to the national grid by that same deadline.
The strategy includes both household installations and utility-scale solar farms. According to El-Rufai, companies will be required to establish manufacturing facilities within one year of signing a contract—a move intended to ensure they contribute to the local economy.
The first round of bidding for these projects is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2025. The government hopes this initiative will simultaneously address the energy crisis, create jobs, and reduce the country’s reliance on imported solar panels.
Addressing the Wider Energy Crisis
Nigeria’s long-standing energy crisis remains a major challenge. Despite its abundant natural resources, the country has struggled to provide reliable electricity, and frequent power outages continue to affect businesses, schools, and households nationwide.
Beyond boosting local manufacturing, the solar strategy aims to increase the share of renewables in Nigeria’s energy mix. The country currently relies heavily on fossil fuels for electricity generation, and a greater share of solar power would help diversify its energy sources and reduce its carbon footprint.
Navigating Challenges and Opportunities
While the proposed ban presents significant opportunities, it also poses challenges. Establishing local manufacturing facilities will require substantial investment in infrastructure, technology, and training programs to meet government requirements.
The potential benefits, however, are substantial. The initiative could help Nigeria become a regional hub for solar panel manufacturing, attracting investment from other African countries and creating jobs in the process.
This proposed import ban is a bold step toward addressing Nigeria’s energy crisis. If successful, it could stimulate economic growth and significantly increase the share of renewable energy in the nation’s power grid.
For a deeper understanding of Nigeria’s evolving solar strategy, explore these related reports: Nigeria’s Solar Facility Receives $25 Million Fund and Nigeria to Improve Power Supply Through Solar With $750M.
