The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported that Nigerians spent about N242.68bn on importation of solar panels in the first half of this year.
The latest data from the statistics agency in its Foreign Trade Statistics report, showed that Nigerians were investing more on renewable energy solutions in the face of power supply uncertainties, despite efforts by Federal Government to boost local power generation and distribution in the country.
According to the report, solar panels were among Nigeria’s top imported commodities during the half year period.
An analysis of the data reflected that that photovoltaic cells assembled in modules or made up into panels valued at N125.29bn were imported between January and March 2025 compared to the second quarter’s imports worth N117.39bn, bringing the total value of imported solar panels in Q1 2025 to N242.68bn.
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However, in the H1 2025 period, the value of imported panels was just slightly higher than the N237.3bn recorded in the final quarter of 2024.
The slower rate of imported solar panels may not be unconnected to the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported solar panels, by strengthening local capacity for manufacturing the product in the country.
Recently, the Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, reported that Nigeria’s installed solar module manufacturing capacity had increased to 600 megawatts, up from 110 megawatts.
The industry expert listed some of the key facilities as including a 100MW plant in Lagos, a 250MW facility in Abuja, and others in Idu and Port Harcourt, hinting tht over 50 renewable energy service companies are now active in Nigeria, compared to just about 10 a few years ago.
Aliyu said: “We are changing the narrative. Nigeria now has the capacity to produce solar panels locally and support the transition to clean energy.”
