Nigeria has recorded a historic milestone in its renewable energy sector as the country, for the first time, imported more solar cells than finished solar panels. In October 2025, Nigeria imported 110 megawatts (MW) of solar cells compared to 82MW of completed solar panels, signalling a clear transition from dependence on imports to local solar manufacturing.

Industry experts say the development represents a major structural shift in Nigeria’s clean energy value chain, as importing solar cells for local assembly allows a significant portion of production value to be retained within the country. This approach supports job creation, skills development, and the growth of supporting industries across the manufacturing ecosystem.

The milestone reflects the impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria First Policy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, supported by key power sector reforms and the Nigeria Renewable Energy Innovation Forum. The forum helped unlock nearly 500 million dollars in manufacturing and supply chain investments, further strengthening Nigeria’s position in the renewable energy market.