Bago Invites Global Renewable Energy Companies To Harness Niger’s Silicon, Lithium Resources

…Partners REA to power 69,337 households, unlock $27bn in GDP

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has invited global renewable energy manufacturers to invest in the state, touting its rich deposits of silicon and lithium—key ingredients for solar cells and batteries—as a gateway to local production and massive economic gains.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, at a roundtable on making renewable power viable in Niger State and Nigeria, Bago said that Niger State was highly endowed with lithium and silicon deposits:

“We have the highest level of silicon in Niger State… To make solar cells, you don’t even have to bring them from China. The Chinese company can come and set up. No tax.” On batteries: “We also have the largest concentration of lithium in Nigeria, with copper, zinc, manganese—and these things are ingredients needed for batteries,” he said.

Gov Bago noted that Niger State had deepened ties with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to provide electricity to the state’s unserved and underserved communities. Speaking about the state’s partnership with REA, the governor said,” Our collaboration with REA began yesterday. We are already married. And it’s well known that until death do us part.” He highlighted REA’s projects in the state, including a 5.5 megawatt solar plant with 7.5 megawatt-hour battery storage, which ended vandalism that once plagued the lines to IBB University in Lapai. “When I came in as a governor, there was a cartel of people who did diesel. Every time the power lines supplying electricity to IBB University, Lapai, about 70 kilometres from Minna, are brought down, it is in the name of rain, wind, or vandalism. Now, with REA and TETFund, it’s over,” Bago stated, noting its benefits for the university expansion with more hostels and security jobs.

The plant supports university expansion, hostels, and security jobs.

The governor stressed resilient institutions, infrastructure, and policy sincerity as pillars of sustainability.

“It is time that we build sustainability,” he said, warning that past Nigerian efforts had eroded due to weak foundations.

He explained, “Sustainability means how it can continue after me? You have to build resilient institutions.” The governor linked renewables to livelihoods, citing the state’s allocation of 100,000 hectares under the Sustainable Integrated Productive Community (SIPC) Initiative for housing and agriculture.

“You build houses for people, you want to create mortgages, they don’t have a livelihood, and they can’t pay. You deploy renewable energy, they consume power, they can’t pay,” he cautioned. “But when these people can generate revenue, to add value that means there is production. And when there is production, there is sustainability.”

Bago questioned Nigeria’s energy transition sincerity: “How sincere are we that we want to transition our people from darkness to light?

From primitive ways of production to a modern way?” He showcased solar applications for off-grid water access, device charging, appliances, and streetlights, noting,

“People are far away from the national grid. The cost of giving power to those communities is incredible. Now, with mini-grids, that is possible.”

The REA managing director, Dr Abba Aliyu, highlighted that 77 mini-grid sites are already underway in Niger State, injecting 20MW to connect 69,337 households—an unprecedented scale. He shared geospatial data on 3,564 off-grid communities serving 1.5 million people, projecting that Niger could attract $1.2 billion in investment, add $27 billion to GDP, and create 280,000 jobs.

This leverages the Electricity Act 2023 and REA’s $1.2 billion funding pool (plus $2.6 billion pipeline) from President Tinubu’s $750 million global program for 17.5 million Nigerians.

Recent feats include a 990 kWp mini-grid in Lambata, powering 3,900 homes, and scaling to 1.5MW.

Also speaking, the state commissioner, Ministry of Investment, Hon. Aminu Suleiman Takuma, highlighted specific tax incentives for renewable energy manufacturers and power generation projects.

He stated that investors in power generation would enjoy up to 5 years of pioneer status, along with 0% incentives for new opportunities in renewable energy equipment, machinery, and components.

Takuma further detailed sector-specific incentives covering hydro, green hydrogen, and rural mini-grid subsidies. He assured investors that his ministry and the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy teams would engage directly to outline the available federal and state-level incentives.

Hon. Takuma noted the event catalyses Niger’s investment agenda, aligning renewables with agro-zones to draw global players. “This positions Niger as Nigeria’s mini-grid hub,” he stated, echoing calls for partnerships to close the North Central region’s electrification deficit.

The roundtable united government, financiers, and private developers to fast-track bankable projects.

Earlier in his welcome address, the secretary to the government of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, positioned the state as Nigeria’s renewable powerhouse, boasting 76,000 sq km of landmass, solar radiation of 5.5-7 kWh/m²/day, and biomass, wind, and hydro assets. “Despite this abundance, many rural communities lack access,” Usman said, tying renewables to the New Niger Agenda for agro-industrialisation and rural development.

He said distributed solutions would power hubs, irrigation, cold chains, schools, and clinics, he added, reaffirming state commitment to innovative financing for inclusive growth.