Energy Puzzle: Nigeria Imports Solar Panels from China, Exports Electricity to Neighbours

• Massive Solar Imports: Nigeria imported solar panels worth ₦237.3 billion in the last quarter of 2024, with ₦228.9 billion coming from China despite ongoing efforts to boost local production.
• Local Manufacturing Plans: A $325.9 million solar panel factory in Nasarawa State, launched in 2023, aims to reduce reliance on imports and make solar energy more affordable.
• Electricity Exports: Nigeria exported electricity worth ₦75.6 billion to Togo, Benin, and Niger, with Togo receiving the largest share of ₦33.7 billion.

In the last quarter of 2024, Nigeria imported solar panels worth ₦237.3 billion, according to data from the Foreign Trade Statistics report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The majority of these solar panels, officially described as “Photovoltaic cells not assembled in modules or made up into panels,” were imported from China, accounting for ₦228.9 billion of the total.

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Despite Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to become self-sufficient in solar panel production, the country continues to rely heavily on imports to meet local demand. This is occurring even after significant investments in renewable energy projects aimed at reducing dependence on foreign products.

In 2023, Nigeria’s former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, laid the foundation for a solar panel manufacturing plant under the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in Gora, Nasarawa State.

The factory, estimated to cost $325.9 million, is part of a broader initiative to position Nigeria as a leader in climate-friendly energy solutions. The plant is a key part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between NASENI and the China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC).

At the foundation-laying ceremony, Osinbajo described the project as a proactive step to place Nigeria among countries advancing the use of renewable energy, particularly solar power.

He emphasized that solar cells are a crucial component of the solar energy value chain, as they directly impact how efficiently solar panels capture and store energy from the sun.

The former Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Prof. Mohammad Sani Haruna, called the project a “game changer” for Nigeria’s energy sector.

He stated that once the plant is fully operational, it will significantly lower the cost of solar energy, making it more affordable for ordinary Nigerians. The project also reflects the federal government’s commitment to providing NASENI with 1% of the federation account annually, as mandated by law.

In addition to importing solar panels, Nigeria exported electricity worth ₦75.6 billion to neighboring countries—Togo, Benin, and Niger—during the same three-month period.

A breakdown of the data shows that Togo imported ₦33.7 billion worth of electricity, followed by Benin with ₦27.6 billion, and Niger with ₦14.2 billion.

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The export of electricity to these countries continues despite ongoing power supply challenges within Nigeria.

This highlights the country’s dual role as both a major importer of renewable energy equipment and an exporter of electricity to its regional neighbors.

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