The Federal Government has launched initiatives to strengthen local content in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector, aiming to reduce dependence on imported equipment while driving industrial growth and job creation.
Through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the government plans to harness the economic potential of Nigeria’s growing renewable energy market. The move comes amid concerns that the country’s advanced decentralised energy framework relies heavily on imported hardware.
REA’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dr. Abba Aliyu, highlighted the challenge in a statement shared by the Presidency, noting that “about 80–90 per cent of renewable energy equipment is still imported.”
He stressed the need for urgent action to encourage local manufacturing, skills transfer, and strategic market structuring. According to Dr. Aliyu, these measures are critical to creating jobs, building domestic industries, and retaining economic value within Nigeria.
The initiative aligns with the government’s broader agenda to position Nigeria as a leading renewable energy hub in Africa, while simultaneously boosting energy access in rural communities and stimulating GDP growth.
Officials revealed that REA plans to roll out workshops, partnerships with local firms, and incentives for domestic manufacturers in the coming months to accelerate the localisation of renewable energy technologies.
Experts say the strategy could transform Nigeria’s renewable energy sector, turning import dependence into homegrown production and fostering long-term industrial and economic development.
