L-R: Benjamin Clarke - Director of Operations, Africa Solar Industry Association, AFSIA,- Esther Eyenobong - Senior Sales Manager West Africa, Jinko Solar
 Ruth Iye Ifah - Sales Manager, JA,Taiwo Adewale - Business Development Manager Nigeria, AIKO Energy, Ololade Raji, Technical Services Manager, AlphaESS
 Olamide Niyi-Afuye - CEO, Africa Mini-grid Developers Association (AMDA)

…Renewable energy investment forum, backed by REA, targets financing, mini-grid expansion and local solar manufacturing as Nigeria accelerates its clean energy transition.

LAGOS, Nigeria: Nigeria’s growing renewable energy market will take centre stage as the Renewable Energy Forum Africa (REFA) 2026 opens in Lagos on November 25–26, bringing together international investors, solar developers, technology providers, regulators and policymakers to explore investment opportunities across Africa’s clean energy sector.

The two-day forum, scheduled to hold at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island, is organised by the Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA), with support from SolarPower Europe and the official patronage of Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

REA Managing Director and Chief Executive, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, will deliver the keynote address during the opening plenary on November 25.

The event comes as Nigeria expands investment in solar mini-grids, distributed renewable energy, battery storage and local manufacturing to address electricity access challenges, reduce dependence on diesel generation and strengthen energy supply to businesses and communities.

Following previous editions in Cape Town, Nairobi and Accra, REFA’s arrival in Lagos reflects Nigeria’s growing importance in Africa’s renewable energy investment landscape.

Nigeria’s solar market attracts growing investment

Nigeria has emerged as West Africa’s leading solar market, with approximately 618 megawatts-peak (MWp) of operational solar capacity, ranking first in the region and eighth in Africa, according to figures provided by AFSIA.

The country also leads Africa in mini-grid deployment, with 132MWp of installed capacity, more than twice that of second-ranked Angola. Its commercial and industrial (C&I) solar market has reached approximately 385MWp, placing it fourth on the continent.

The expansion has accelerated in recent years, with 76 per cent of Nigeria’s operational solar capacity commissioned since 2022.

Several policy and financing initiatives are expected to sustain the growth, particularly the $750 million World Bank-backed Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme.

Implemented by the REA, DARES targets the deployment of 1,350 solar mini-grids and improved electricity access for approximately 17.5 million Nigerians. Construction is already under way in several states, supported by the regulatory framework introduced under the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) Mini-Grid Regulations in April 2026.

Another major financing initiative is the $300 million Nigeria Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) Fund, managed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Africa50. Commercially launched in September 2026, the fund is designed to finance mini-grids, standalone solar systems and other distributed renewable energy projects.

Nigeria is also seeking to strengthen its domestic solar manufacturing capacity.

The country’s first privately owned 100MW solar module assembly plant is operational in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, while the REA, Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp) and Solarge are developing a proposed 1GW manufacturing facility.

Under the arrangement, the REA has committed to purchasing at least 200MW of solar modules annually for five years.

Regulatory developments are also creating new opportunities for private-sector participation. NERC’s 2026 Net Billing Regulations allow eligible solar customers to export surplus electricity to the grid in exchange for credits, providing a regulated framework for commercial and industrial solar operators to monetise excess generation.

Meanwhile, electricity market regulation is increasingly shifting to the state level, with 16 states having assumed regulatory oversight, including Lagos. This allows eligible state electricity commissions to issue licences and determine tariffs for projects operating within their jurisdictions.

Financing, mini-grids and energy storage dominate agenda

REFA 2026 will focus on the commercial and investment challenges facing Africa’s renewable energy industry, with dedicated sessions covering utility-scale solar, electricity grids, mini-grids, battery storage, commercial and industrial power, electric mobility and project financing.

Discussions on utility-scale renewable energy will examine why some permitted and contracted projects remain unable to reach financial close, as well as ways to improve the bankability of utilities and transmission infrastructure.

The mini-grid sessions will explore how productive-use customers, including businesses and agricultural enterprises, can improve project revenues and strengthen the commercial viability of off-grid electricity investments.

Other discussions will examine renewable energy and battery storage combinations, corporate power purchase agreements, and emerging electricity demand from telecommunications companies, mining operations and data centres.

The investment programme will also address blended finance, foreign exchange exposure, offtake risks and political risks affecting renewable energy projects across African markets.

On the industrial front, participants will explore opportunities to develop a reliable solar manufacturing and supply-chain ecosystem in West Africa while addressing the circulation of counterfeit solar products.

Structured business-to-business matchmaking will run throughout the two-day event, combining a digital platform with direct meetings between investors, developers, suppliers and prospective business partners. An exhibition will also showcase technologies and services across the renewable energy value chain.

REA: Investment and local manufacturing critical to energy transition

REA Managing Director, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said Nigeria’s clean energy expansion required more than policy ambition, stressing the importance of investment, partnerships and domestic manufacturing capacity.

He said the agency’s collaboration with REFA would provide an opportunity to connect investors, policymakers, renewable energy companies and other stakeholders around Nigeria’s electricity access and industrialisation objectives.

According to Aliyu, the REA remains committed to expanding clean energy access, addressing energy poverty and developing sustainable business models that support the country’s energy transition.

Solar manufacturers target Nigeria’s growing market

International solar technology companies are also positioning themselves to benefit from Nigeria’s expanding renewable energy market.

Jinko Solar, the Diamond Partner of REFA 2026, said it would use the forum to strengthen partnerships with Nigerian developers, distributors and other stakeholders.

The company’s Sales Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Joanna Zhuo, said Nigeria’s expanding utility-scale, mini-grid and commercial and industrial solar markets presented significant opportunities for advanced solar technologies.

She highlighted the company’s Tiger Neo 3.0 series, which offers power output of up to 670 watts and conversion efficiency of up to 24.8 per cent, alongside technology designed to perform in high-temperature environments.

JA Solar also identified commercial and industrial solar, mini-grids and solar-plus-storage solutions as major growth opportunities.

Its Nigeria Sales Manager, Ruth Ifah, said businesses were increasingly prioritising reliable power supply, predictable energy costs, project bankability and long-term equipment performance.

She said the company would work with Nigerian distributors, engineering, procurement and construction contractors, and installers to strengthen the country’s solar value chain.

AIKO Energy MEA’s Business Development Manager for Nigeria, Taiwo Adedeji Adewale, said the country’s growing commercial and industrial solar market required high-efficiency technologies capable of maximising electricity generation from limited rooftop space.

He highlighted the company’s All Back Contact (ABC) technology, which he said offered up to 25 per cent efficiency and improved performance under partial shading.

Other industry participants, including Zimmermann PV-Steel Group, AlphaESS and KUKA CABLE, are expected to showcase their technologies and explore partnerships with local developers and distributors.

Zimmermann PV-Steel Group Business Developer, Johann Heidecker, said combining local market knowledge with German engineering expertise could help deliver competitive and reliable solar projects across West Africa.

AlphaESS Regional Manager, Max Luo, highlighted the growing demand for energy storage in Nigeria, noting that battery systems could help businesses maximise solar generation, reduce diesel consumption and achieve more predictable electricity costs.

KUKA CABLE Chief Operating Officer, Jackie Wang, said the company was seeking partnerships with Nigerian solar developers, engineering contractors and distributors to supply cables designed for safety, durability and reliable performance.

SolarPower Europe, AMDA back Africa’s renewable investment drive

SolarPower Europe Chief Executive, Walburga Hemetsberger, said the organisation’s support for REFA 2026 reflected the importance of connecting international expertise, capital and bankable renewable energy projects.

She said the forum would strengthen partnerships needed to accelerate Africa’s clean energy transition and expand Nigeria’s renewable energy market.

The Africa Mini-grid Developers Association (AMDA) also emphasised the economic opportunities associated with distributed renewable energy, particularly its potential to support productive businesses, strengthen local supply chains and advance industrialisation.

AMDA said its partnership with AFSIA on REFA 2026 was aimed at connecting developers, investors and policymakers to unlock financing and scale renewable energy projects across the continent.

REFA 2026 to host AFSIA Awards

Beyond investment discussions and business matchmaking, the forum will feature the AFSIA Awards 2026 on the evening of November 25.

The awards will recognise achievements across 14 categories covering utility-scale solar, commercial and industrial projects, mini-grids, energy storage, innovation, financing transactions and public administration.

Delegates attending the two-day forum will have access to the awards ceremony, while separate tickets will be available for other participants.

Previous editions of REFA attracted 325 participants, 41 speakers and 25 partners, generating 972 business-to-business meetings.

Developers and financiers accounted for more than half of the participants at the 2025 edition, which attracted delegates from Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the United States.

With Nigeria’s renewable energy market attracting fresh financing, regulatory reforms and international technology providers, REFA 2026 is expected to provide a platform for converting investment interest into partnerships and commercially viable projects.

For Nigeria, the central challenge will be translating its growing solar capacity and ambitious financing programmes into reliable electricity supply, stronger domestic manufacturing and sustainable energy access for households and businesses.