…VP Shettima promises economic relief as Nigeria positions itself as Africa’s clean-energy hub
By Maryam Suleiman Yusuf
Nigeria’s goal to become Africa’s renewable energy manufacturing hub received a significant boost at the Nigeria Renewable Energy Innovation Forum (NREIF) 2025, held in Abuja from October 14 to 15. The two-day event, organized by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in partnership with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and supported by the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), united policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to advance Nigeria’s shift from energy consumer to clean-energy producer.
Vice President Kashim Ibrahim Shettima assured Nigerians that their economic challenges will soon ease as the country enters a new phase of prosperity. Speaking at the forum, he said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is empathetic to citizens’ struggles and remains committed to sustained economic growth. “The president’s heart goes out to the pains that Nigerians are experiencing, but be reassured that we have crossed the Rubicon and we are on a path to sustaining growth and blessings,” Shettima said.
He described the forum as an invitation to position Nigeria as a hub for renewable energy manufacturing in Africa, noting that the country’s energy transition presents an investment opportunity exceeding $410 billion between now and 2060. “Of this, more than N23 billion is required to expand energy access and connect the millions of Nigerians who still live in energy poverty. But beyond access lies our grander ambition, which is to deliver a power system capable of 277 gigawatts of total installed capacity by 2060. This ambition demands more than investment; it demands innovation, local capacity, and commitment,” Shettima said.
He added that this year’s forum theme, Implementing the Nigeria First Policy: Facilitating Local Content Development and Manufacturing in the Renewable Energy Ecosystem, is both timely and essential. Under the forum, more than $400 million in new investment commitments have been mobilised into Nigeria’s renewable energy manufacturing value chain, covering solar panels, smart meters, battery storage, and recycling facilities. These investments are projected to create over 1,500 direct jobs across multiple states, reflecting growing global confidence in Nigeria’s clean energy industrialisation drive.
The forum reinforced the Federal Government’s “Nigeria First” vision, placing local manufacturing at the heart of the energy transition. REA highlighted initiatives such as the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative (NPSSI) and the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) to stimulate domestic production and deployment of solar energy systems. NASENI showcased locally manufactured solar home systems, inverters, batteries, and solar-powered irrigation systems, demonstrating that Nigeria’s renewable technologies are increasingly viable.
Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu described NREIF 2025 as a declaration that Nigeria is ready to lead Africa’s renewable energy transformation. “This year’s theme speaks to something far deeper than manufacturing. It embodies a bold commitment to national pride, industrial competence, and long-term economic sustainability,” he said, adding that the Nigeria First Policy ensures the next generation of clean energy technologies deployed across the country will proudly carry the label, “Made in Nigeria”.
The forum’s exhibition hall displayed Nigeria’s growing manufacturing capacity. Local and international companies, including Sun King, Hinckley Recycling Ltd, and Mutual Commitment Company, displayed the solar hybrid power system, and members of the Solar Energy Manufacturers and Assemblers Association (SEMA) presented solar modules, energy management tools, and smart appliances. Government officials, engineers, and investors engaged in discussions on policy alignment, technology transfer, and joint ventures, showing that Nigeria is moving from policy ambition to tangible production.
The event’s Deal Room yielded over $435 million in investment commitments. Key agreements included partnerships between REA and six state governments, Lagos, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Kano, Bayelsa, and the FCT, to develop renewable energy manufacturing clusters targeting 4,000 MW. A joint venture involving REA, InfraCorp, and Solarge BV will establish a 1 GW solar-panel factory with 50% local content within three years. Sun King also signed an agreement with REA to establish a local facility for solar appliances and lighting systems, while private-sector firms pledged to expand smart-meter and battery recycling operations.
Participants concluded the forum by outlining a roadmap prioritising local content, green financing, vocational training, and regional export strategies, alongside digital platforms to enhance transparency and investor confidence. The official communiqué noted: “The transition from pilot projects to industrial scale requires urgency, coordination, and measurable commitments.”
NREIF 2025 demonstrated Nigeria’s progress from policy ambition to industrial execution. With a 1 GW solar-plant partnership, six state-level projects, and over $435 million in investments, the foundations of a Made in Nigeria Energy Revolution are being laid. If commitments are implemented, Nigeria may soon become not only a major market for renewable technologies but also Africa’s leading producer and exporter of clean-energy solutions.
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