Renewable energy developers and investors have been urged to help bridge the gap as Lagos State requires an estimated 12 gigawatts of electricity but receives only about one gigawatt from the national grid, leaving an 11-gigawatt shortfall.

The gap, however, highlights the scale of Nigeria’s electricity challenge and the opportunities for solar power, mini-grids and other decentralised energy systems, as industry stakeholders seek to attract investment into the sector.

Director of Operations of the Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA), Benjamin Clarke, who spoke at a media briefing in Lagos ahead of the Renewable Energy Forum Africa (REFA) 2026, scheduled for November 25 and 26, 2026, said Africa’s renewable energy capacity had more than doubled from about 37 gigawatts in 2016 to over 82 gigawatts in 2025, with approximately 11 gigawatts added last year alone.

He said Nigeria was emerging as a significant market, with about 620 megawatts of operational solar capacity, the highest among West African countries tracked in the Association’s data. Senegal followed with approximately 425 megawatts.

According to Clarke, Nigeria’s commercial and industrial solar market has also expanded rapidly, growing by an estimated 32 per cent yearly since 2021, adding that the country recorded about 82 megawatts in commercial and industrial solar installations in 2024, making it Africa’s second-largest market in that segment after South Africa.

He attributed the growth partly to businesses seeking alternatives to unreliable grid electricity and the cost of running diesel generators.

Clarke, however, said the investment opportunity extended beyond commercial installations to mini-grids serving communities and businesses outside reliable grid coverage.

Technical Services Manager of Alpha ESS West Africa, Ololade Raji, said access to funding alone would not guarantee successful projects unless developers could demonstrate their financial viability, technical feasibility and long-term operational sustainability.

He said investors needed clear repayment structures, credible feasibility studies and evidence that projects could deliver dependable electricity over their expected lifespan.

Raji also called for stronger local technical capacity, maintenance services, and spare parts availability, warning that unreliable equipment could undermine investors’ confidence and leave consumers with systems that fail to deliver the promised benefits.

Responding, industry representatives said local distributors, installers and financing partners were helping customers to access solar systems through payment arrangements, including instalment plans.

They, however, acknowledged that more public information was needed to help consumers identify available financing options.

The Senior Sales Manager for West Africa at Jinko Solar, Esther Eyenobong, said the company had signed framework agreements covering more than 600 megawatts with Nigerian partners for commercial, industrial and residential rooftop installations.

She said the company was working with local partners to expand access to its technology but stressed that decisions on establishing manufacturing or assembly facilities would depend on market conditions and the viability of such investments.