Nigeria, Dutch firm sign deal to build solar panel factory

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp), and Solarge BV, a Dutch company, have announced the creation of Solarge Nigeria Limited, a company that will build and operate a one-gigawatt (GW) solar panel manufacturing factory in the country.

The agreement was signed at the office of InfraCorp in Abuja, according to a statement by REA on Wednesday.

REA said the initiative aligns with the federal government’s National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative (NPSSI) and the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF), both of which aim to scale clean energy access in public institutions and boost local content in renewable energy.

“The special purpose vehicle (SPV), Solarge Nigeria Limited will be co-owned by:InfraCorp, REA and Solarge BV (Netherlands),” the statement reads.

“This public-private partnership will leverage InfraCorp’s investment mobilization capacity, REA’s policy leadership in rural electrification and public sector solarization, and Solarge BV’s advanced technology and manufacturing expertise to localize high-quality solar PV production in Nigeria.

“A state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to be constructed in Nigeria, with a target of 50% local content within the first three years.

“The facility will support significant technology transfer, capacity building, and job creation, furthering Nigeria’s energy transition and industrial policy goals.

“Under the agreement, REA has committed to procure at least 200MW of solar modules per year over five years from Solarge Nigeria Ltd for NPSSI, RHIDF, and other public electrification programs.”

Speaking on the project, Tanimu Kurfi, director-general (DG) of the budget office of the federation, said the partnership exemplifies the type of innovation and collaboration that the federal government seeks to promote.

“It not only supports our fiscal sustainability goals but also deepens Nigeria’s industrial base and energy self-reliance,” Kurfi said.

‘PROJECT WILL BOOST LOCAL CAPACITY TO PRODUCE CLEAN ENERGY’

Abba Abubakar Aliyu, managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of REA, said the joint venture would provide access to clean energy while building domestic production capacity.

“Through this joint venture, we are not only creating access to clean energy but building the local capacity to manufacture it,” he said.

“This initiative aligns perfectly with the Renewed Hope Agenda and our mandate to electrify communities and institutions.”

Lazarus Angbazo, CEO of InfraCorp, described the launch of Solarge Nigeria Limited as “a bold step toward local manufacturing and energy sovereignty”.

On his part, Joost Brinkman, CEO of Solarge BV, said the company is  “excited to bring our technology and experience to this landmark initiative”.

“Solarge Nigeria Ltd will set a new benchmark for solar manufacturing in Africa — built by Nigerians, for Nigerians,” he added.

According to the statement, under the offtake arrangement, REA will procure at least 200 megawatts of solar modules per year over five years for NPSSI, RHIDF, and other public electrification programmes.

REA also said the facility will target 50 percent local content within three years and will create jobs while enabling technology transfer.

The agency added that Solarge Nigeria Limited will be governed by a board of directors representing all shareholders, including an independent non-executive member.

On August 7, REA, the budget office, InfraCorp, and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) signed a memorandum of understanding to formally launch the NPSSI, a government-led programme to deploy solar energy solutions across schools, hospitals, security posts, and other public institutions.