Nigeria to host sub-Saharan Africa’s largest solar steel plant, as FG pledges power reforms

igeria to host sub-Saharan Africa’s largest solar steel plant

THE African Industries Group has announced plans to establish the largest solar powered industrial steel project in sub-Saharan Africa, following a landmark allocation of 500 hectares of land by the Niger State Government.

Chairman of the group, Raj Gupta, stated this at the groundbreaking and handover ceremony of the land to Abuja Steel Mills Limited, a subsidiary of the group, over the weekend in Abuja.

Gupta said that with this boost from the state government, the initiative would place Nigeria prominently on the global steel and renewable energy maps.

He noted that the conglomerate, which has operated in Nigeria for over 50 years, views the expansion as a critical vehicle for human empowerment.

“For us, this historic day where we are being given this land is not just an opportunity to build industry and create jobs, but its main purpose is development, upliftment, and empowerment of people.

“This project will perhaps be the largest in sub-Saharan Africa, putting Nigeria not only on the world steel map but also on the world’s renewable energy map,” Gupta stated.

Speaking on the importance of public private partnerships in driving economic development, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said that the Federal Government is committed to overhauling the power sector to drive industrialisation.

He commended Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State for attracting private investments to catalyse economic growth.
The minister said “We are working to resolve the fundamental contradictions that have made electricity a source of national frustration rather than national productivity,” assuring that the infrastructure required to make the investment realisable remains a priority.

On his part, the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, said the Abuja Steel Mills’ solar powered project will drive President Bola Tinubu’s goal to achieve a 1 trillion dollars economy by 2030.

“They have invested billions of dollars and contributed massively to the vision of Mr President to grow the economy,” Audu stated.

Earlier, Governor Bago explained that a key priority target for his administration is an industrial boom, hence the allocation of the land to reshape the state’s industrial landscape.

He also announced plans to gazette 200,000 additional hectares to foster sustainable investments.

According to the governor, “Our vision of building a new Niger is steadily becoming a reality.”

Bago further urged the investors to prioritise local employment to better the lives of residents.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, tasked the private sector on the execution of the newly unveiled National Industrial Policy, noting that Nigeria’s economic prosperity depends entirely on private sector execution.

Enoh commended the steel mill project, noting its potential to reduce the nation’s import burden and create massive employment.

“The government cannot deliver on productivity without events of this nature. The missing gap is productivity. The missing gap is manufacturing,” Enoh stated.