Bank of China will provide N67.31 billion in funding for a new solar‑cell production facility. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo highlighted the project’s strategic location in Gora, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, noting that the region’s abundant silicon and silica—key raw materials for solar cells—made it an ideal site. Speaking at the foundation‑laying ceremony for the N71.19 billion ($171.97 million) plant, which he described as the first solar‑cell factory in West Africa, Osinbajo thanked the people of Nasarawa for hosting the project.
He explained that the ceremony marked the culmination of a decade of work by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), funded by a one‑percent annual allocation from the federation account under the Buhari administration. The Vice President stressed that expanding diesel use—estimated at $50 billion annually in sub‑Saharan Africa—would be unsustainable, and that the plant aligns with Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, which projects solar power to surpass gas in the national energy mix by 2035.
Osinbajo emphasized that siting the factory in Gora leverages extensive biogeographical, geological and mining surveys that have positioned Nasarawa as Nigeria’s hub for solid minerals. He praised the anticipated economic boost for the local community and said the project places Nigeria among nations advancing climate‑smart, alternative energy solutions. He recalled that NASENI’s earlier 7.5 MW solar‑panel plant, now expanded to 21 MW, laid the groundwork for this new venture, which he described as a “game‑changer” for African green‑energy manufacturing.
The Vice President congratulated the Nasarawa State government, NASENI leadership under Executive Vice‑Chair Prof. Mohammed Haruna, and President Muhammadu Buhari (retired), who chairs the governing board. Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule expressed gratitude for Osinbajo’s support, stating that the state will always remember his contributions.
Prof. Haruna detailed the plant’s specifications: it spans 15.8 hectares and includes a polysilicon section (1,000 tons per annum), an ingot section (50 MW per annum), wafer production (50 MW per annum), and solar‑cell output (50 MW per annum). The total cost of $171.97 million (N71.19 billion) will be financed 85 percent by the China‑Africa Development Fund through the Bank of China (N67.31 billion) and 15 percent locally (N11.88 billion). Two additional projects—a $123.99 million electric‑power transformer plant and a $29.90 million high‑voltage testing laboratory—bring the combined approved budget to $325.86 million, with 85 percent of the total ($276.98 million) sourced from China. NASENI has already remitted 46.89 percent of the Nigerian counterpart funding.
Haruna projected that excess polysilicon capacity and future expansions in wafer and solar‑cell production will enable exports, generating foreign‑exchange earnings. Dignitaries at the event included APC National Chairman Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Emir of Lafia HRM Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, and Emir of Keffi Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III.
Comments are closed for this story.