LAGOS, June 26 — Nigeria’s proposed ban on the importation of solar panels, aimed at promoting domestic manufacturing, has sparked widespread concern among renewable energy experts and environmental advocates who warn it could hinder the country’s efforts to expand access to clean energy.
Announced on March 26 by Minister of Science and Technology Uche Nnaji, the ban is part of a broader government strategy to encourage local production of renewable energy infrastructure.
Nnaji claimed that the country had sufficient capacity to meet demand through private firms and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), which has been developing indigenous solar technologies.
However, energy experts argue that Nigeria’s solar production capacity remains far below what is needed to meet national demand, particularly for the more than 83 million Nigerians still lacking access to electricity.
“We can’t put pressure on local facilities that do not have the capacity,” said Ogunlade Olamide Martins, associate director at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), a pan-African NGO.
Martins noted that Nigeria’s largest existing solar panel assembly plant, located in Lagos, has a production capacity of just 100 megawatts (MW), turning out fewer than 72,000 panels annually. “That’s not nearly enough for the energy access challenge we’re facing,” he said.
Nigeria’s total installed solar energy capacity was approximately 385.7 MWp by the end of 2024. The country aims to reach 500 MW by 2025, but this ambition could be threatened if the import ban is enacted before sufficient local infrastructure is in place.
Felicia Dairo, project manager at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, warned that the immediate effect of the ban would likely be a sharp rise in solar panel prices.
“The average household or small business looking to go solar will face higher costs, making it an unaffordable luxury for many,” she said. “That means people and businesses will fall back on fossil fuels, generators, petrol and diesel, just to keep the lights on.”
Dairo also likened the proposal to the abrupt removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023, which triggered a surge in petrol prices and public discontent. She emphasized that without thorough planning and a gradual transition, the solar panel ban could backfire economically and environmentally.
Veteran solar energy dealer Samuel Okeriuwa of Steady Energy in Lagos echoed these concerns. “The ban could push people back to fuel generators with devastating environmental consequences,” he said.
“The government should engage professionals, organize roundtable discussions, and invest in expanding renewable energy infrastructure before implementing such a policy.”
The proposal has drawn criticism from civil society groups, energy stakeholders, and the Center for Promotion of Private Enterprise, prompting the government to review the plan amid mounting pressure.
While Nigeria’s push to develop local industries is part of its broader economic diversification strategy, experts stress that energy policy must be guided by ground realities.
Without adequate production capacity and affordability, they argue, efforts to promote solar energy could stall — dealing a blow to both Nigeria’s energy transition and climate goals.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
