NASENI, REA partner to boost local renewable energy manufacturing

…Reduces dependence on imported renewable energy technologies

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting locally manufactured renewable energy technologies in line with the Federal Government’s Nigeria First Policy.

The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) in Abuja is expected to deepen local content development in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector, expand off-grid electricity solutions and reduce the nation’s dependence on imported technologies.

According to a statement signed by Olusegun Ayeoynikan, NASENI’s Director of Information, the signing ceremony was facilitated by Adebowale Abraham Adedokun, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement.

Speaking at the event, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, said the agency remains committed to bridging the gap between research, production and commercialization to ensure that innovative ideas are transformed into market-ready products.

Halilu explained that NASENI would scale up the production of renewable energy technologies, including solar panels and solar-powered streetlights, through initiatives such as NASENI DevFrontier Green Energy FZE.

He noted that the partnership would strengthen local manufacturing capacity and significantly reduce the country’s reliance on imported renewable energy equipment.

“Instead of continuous importation of technologies, machines and equipment for producing renewable energy solutions, NASENI, through this MoU, will be committed to local manufacturing and domestication of technologies and equipment required for the proliferation of renewable energy solutions across the country,” he said.

The NASENI boss added that the agency is well-positioned to meet the renewable energy equipment requirements of the Rural Electrification Agency as the government intensifies efforts to provide sustainable electricity access to underserved communities.

On his part, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of REA, described the agreement as a strategic partnership designed to strengthen Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem through local production and deployment.

According to him, while NASENI will provide the manufacturing and technological capabilities required for renewable energy equipment production, REA will focus on deploying the solutions to expand electricity access in rural and underserved communities nationwide.

Aliyu said the collaboration aligns with the Federal Government’s drive to accelerate rural electrification while simultaneously developing indigenous industrial capacity.

Also speaking, Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, said the Nigeria First Policy seeks to strengthen local content, ensure value for money and promote transparency and accountability in public procurement processes.

He emphasized that implementation of the agreement would be performance-based, with strict monitoring mechanisms put in place to guarantee compliance and measurable outcomes.

Adedokun expressed confidence that the partnership would accelerate the adoption of locally produced renewable energy technologies and contribute to Nigeria’s energy security objectives.

Under the terms of the agreement, the MoU will be implemented through NASENI’s subsidiary, NASENI DevFrontier Green Energy FZE, and REA’s limited liability company, RAMco.

The partnership provides for REA to directly off-take, or procure through approved distributors and assembly plants, photovoltaic (PV) modules, inverters and energy storage batteries manufactured by NASENI DevFrontier.

In addition, REA will provide institutional visibility for NASENI’s participation in electrification projects, facilitate engagement opportunities between NASENI and developers or contractors involved in REA programmes, and support the promotion of standardized, high-quality photovoltaic technologies across its project portfolio.