The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to promote locally manufactured renewable energy technologies under the Federal Government’s 'Nigeria First Policy'.
Signing Ceremony in Abuja
The agreement signing was facilitated by the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Abraham Adedokun, at the BPP headquarters in Abuja.
NASENI's Commitment
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, stated that the agency is focused on linking research, production, and commercialization to ensure that innovations are translated into market-ready products. He said, “NASENI would scale up renewable energy production, including solar panels and streetlights, through initiatives such as DefFrontier, to strengthen local manufacturing and reduce import dependence, adding that the Agency will meet the renewable energy requirements of REA.” Instead of continuous importation of technologies, machines, and equipment for producing renewable energy solutions, NASENI, by this MoU, will be committed to local manufacturing and domestication of the technologies, equipment, and other means of proliferating renewable resources in the country to increase the nation’s off-grid energy solutions.
REA's Role
The Managing Director/CEO of REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the relationship with NASENI as a strategic partnership aimed at building Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem through local production and deployment. He stated that while NASENI provides the manufacturing and technological capacity for renewable equipment, REA will focus on deploying solutions to expand electricity across rural areas.
BPP's Perspective
The Director-General of BPP, Dr. Adebowale Abraham Adedokun, said the Nigeria First Policy, exemplified by this agreement, is aimed at strengthening local content, ensuring value for money, and promoting accountability in public procurement. He emphasized that implementation of the agreement will be performance-based, with strict monitoring to ensure compliance and measurable outcomes. He added that the MoU is expected to deepen collaboration between NASENI and REA in expanding renewable energy and reducing dependence on imported technologies.
Implementation Details
The MoU will be implemented through NASENI’s subsidiary company, NASENI Devfrontier Green Energy FZE, and REA’s limited liability company, RAMco. The two Federal Government agencies seek to establish a strategic collaboration under which REA shall offtake PV modules, inverters, and energy storage batteries from NASENI-Devfrontier Green Energy FZE directly or through its approved distribution companies, assembly, and manufacturing factory. As part of the agreement, REA shall provide institutional visibility to enable NASENI to participate in electrification projects; facilitate opportunities for engagements between NASENI and eligible developers or contractors under REA programs; ensure that such facilitation is consistent with applicable procurement, local content, and transparency requirements; and also collaborate with NASENI in promoting standardized, high-quality PV technologies across its program portfolio.
