In the Alaba International Market in Lagos, Nigeria, generators, televisions, and refrigerators have long occupied the storefronts.
Nowadays, solar panels, inverters, and lithium batteries are competing more and more for space.
"In Nigeria, solar panels have become a new wedding gift for local residents." On October 23, Bloomberg reported this topic, stating that high fuel prices and affordable Chinese technology are changing the shopping, consumption, and lifestyle of residents in this African country, accelerating their transition to solar energy.
A shop owner named Ennamdi Enkenka said, “Even those who sell tomatoes have signs indicating that they recycle solar cells and various solar waste materials.” When his store opened in 2008, it was one of the few professional dealers, located in a small alley behind the market. Now, it’s one of over 200 solar-powered shops, located on the main street, with additional storage areas nearby.
He said: “Most people who sell electrical appliances are turning to solar energy.”
Reports say that Nigeria’s electrical grid is weak, so in order to keep lights and appliances running, most Nigerians generate electricity at home. For many years, gasoline- and diesel-powered household generators were the preferred choice. However, solar energy devices are becoming increasingly popular.
By the end of last year, Nigeria's installed solar power capacity had surpassed its grid electricity supply. This year, the country's additional capacity is equivalent to the combined capacity of 2024 and 2025. High fossil fuel prices and affordable Chinese-made solar technologies are accelerating the shift from conventional power sources to renewable energy, thereby encouraging consumers to choose clean energy.
Solar panels, batteries, and inverters are becoming part of wedding gift registries, alongside more traditional gifts such as bed sheets and microwave ovens.
Lagos Market Solar Stalls - Foreign Media
In Nigeria, many residents choose to purchase hybrid inverters, which allow them to switch between solar power, generators, and the electrical grid. This flexibility helps reduce dependence on the electrical grid.
It is worth mentioning that in 2024, Nigeria's power grid increased electricity prices for households with high usage, by a factor of three, in order to support the finances of the power industry.
Nigeria has a deep relationship with fossil fuels. Crude oil exports account for more than two-thirds of the country's export income, but until recently, the country had little own refining capacity. The government had to import refined oil products and artificially suppress oil prices through subsidies. Subsidies were seen as one of the few tangible benefits that Nigerians enjoyed from their national oil wealth.
After the subsidies were lifted in May 2023, energy prices soared immediately. The Middle East conflict tightened global supplies, further pushing up oil prices.
According to reports, years of high inflation and significant currency devaluation have eroded purchasing power, leading to the shrinkage of the middle class and putting more people in poverty. Approximately 90 million Nigerians lack access to energy, making them among the most energy-poor globally.
Meanwhile, the cost of solar energy is moving in the opposite direction. With the rapid development of photovoltaic technology in China, many companies are beginning to expand overseas.
Oluwaseunion Aguda initially hesitated about the initial cost of installing solar energy systems in his apartment. Later, he found that operating a new generator would cost as much as 70,000 naira per week (53 dollars), even when it was only used at night. By the time the Middle Eastern war broke out, he had already started using it sparingly.
I looked at my future. My savings are almost gone, ”said Aguiada, who borrowed money from a friend in April this year to buy a solar energy system. “I'll no longer worry about electricity. This single point alone gives me peace of mind.”
