Nigeria Earns N34bn from US Solar Panel Exports in Three Months

Nigeria's rising solar manufacturing capacity is opening new export opportunities, with the country now listed among the leading suppliers of solar modules to the United States.

Nigeria earned N34.23 billion from solar panel exports to the United States in the first three months of 2026. The figure made the US the biggest buyer of Nigerian-made solar panels during the period.

Government trade data showed Nigeria exported solar panels worth N85.79 billion between January and March 2026. Other buyers included Burkina Faso, India, Indonesia and Ghana.

Export earnings receive major boost

The export figures came as a new report by S&P Global Market Intelligence placed Nigeria among the top 10 countries supplying solar modules to the United States in the first quarter of 2026.

The report showed the US bought solar panels from more countries after tougher trade rules reduced imports linked to China.

Indonesia supplied the biggest share of US solar module imports, followed by the Philippines and Ethiopia. Nigeria also made the top 10 list with Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Kenya, Laos and Vietnam.

The change came at a time when total US solar panel imports fell to their lowest quarterly level in almost seven years.

Many companies changed where they bought solar panels after new trade rules took effect. More solar panels were also produced inside the United States.

Local factories increase production

Nigeria's export success followed a rise in local manufacturing capacity. Solar panel production increased from 120 megawatts about two years ago to about 300 megawatts.

The Rural Electrification Agency has supported the expansion of local production. A World Bank-funded programme worth 300 million dollars helped manufacturers through grants and private sector funding.

The agency has also secured about 425 million dollars to support the establishment of eight new solar panel factories. The investment is expected to increase production and create more opportunities for exports.

It is believed that the increase in local manufacturing has helped Nigeria move from depending mainly on imported solar panels to producing more for local use and foreign markets.

The latest export figures show that clean energy products are becoming an important source of foreign exchange for the country. The performance also puts Nigeria in a stronger position to supply more solar panels to international markets in the coming years.