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Abia State has secured a $145 million solar manufacturing plant through a Public-Private Partnership with MD Nwakanma Nigeria Limited and Chinese technical partners.
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Governor Alex Otti says the investment reflects growing confidence in Abia’s business environment and will drive industrialisation, job creation, higher GDP and economic prosperity.
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Investors confirm the first tranche of funding will be released in September 2026, while construction of the factory is expected to commence before the end of the month.
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The project will manufacture solar panels and accessories, train Abia youths in renewable energy technologies and send selected workers to China for advanced manufacturing training.
July 17, (THEWILL) — Abia State has secured a $145 million solar manufacturing plant as Governor Alex Otti intensified efforts to position the state as a leading destination for industrial investment and renewable energy, describing the project as a major vote of confidence in his administration’s drive to improve the ease of doing business and attract strategic investments.
The solar manufacturing facility, to be developed by MD Nwakanma Nigeria Limited in partnership with Chinese technical partners, will be located at Umuelele in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with the Abia State Government.
Receiving the investors, led by their Team Lead, Dr Oko Jaja, at the Government House in Umuahia on Thursday, Governor Otti expressed delight that the project had reached the Final Investment Decision (FID) stage, with investors committing $145 million to the initiative.
The governor described the project as a strong endorsement of Abia’s improving investment climate, saying his administration remains focused on building an environment where businesses can thrive and investors are protected.
He noted that attracting investments of such magnitude aligns with his government’s vision of transforming Abia into a preferred destination for both local and international investors.
“I’m glad that at least you have reached the final investment decision where you are investing up to $145 million. That is very good. This is what we stand for—creating an enabling environment for businesses to grow and for people to invest,” Otti said.
He disclosed that the state government had already made the required land available for the project and assured the investors of continued support.
“We had to do everything that was required to make the land available. We would like to assure you that if there is any other thing that you need for this investment, do not hesitate to let us know,” he added.
According to the governor, the value of the investment extends far beyond its financial size.
“It is not just the investment; it is what goes with the investment—the jobs that it will create, the GDP that would rise, and the prosperity that it will also generate. Those are very important to us. So we don’t take investors lightly. We try to protect them and make life easy for them. I want to encourage you to continue to do what you are doing, and if there is any way we can support, feel free to let us know”, he said.
Funding to Begin in September
Earlier, Dr Oko Jaja said the delegation visited the governor to brief him on the significant progress made towards establishing the solar manufacturing plant.
He disclosed that the project, being executed with Chinese technical partners, would attract an investment of approximately $145 million and praised the Otti administration for creating an enabling environment that continues to attract both domestic and foreign investors.
According to Jaja, infrastructure improvements, ease of doing business and the state’s commitment to investment protection have given the investors the confidence to proceed with the project.
He also announced that the first tranche of project funding is expected to be released in September 2026, paving the way for the next phase of implementation.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of MD Nwakanma Nigeria Limited, Mr Dennis Madu Nwakanma, said the company would establish the factory through a PPP arrangement with the Abia State Government.
He explained that the visit by the company’s Chinese technical partners to the proposed project site formed part of preliminary technical assessments ahead of construction, adding that work on the factory is expected to commence by the end of September.
Nwakanma described the project as a major milestone for renewable energy development and industrialisation in Abia State, noting that the facility would manufacture solar panels and other solar accessories for Nigeria’s growing clean energy market.
Beyond manufacturing, he said the project is designed to create employment opportunities for Abia youths through structured skills acquisition and capacity development programmes.
He disclosed that the company has already commenced training young people in solar installation and related technologies, while selected personnel would be sent to China for advanced training in solar manufacturing once the factory becomes operational.
According to him, the initiative will not only develop a skilled local workforce but also position Abia as one of Nigeria’s leading hubs for renewable energy manufacturing, while reducing dependence on imported solar products.
The Commissioners for Power and Public Utilities, Lands, and officials of the Abia State Public-Private Partnership Office were among government officials present during the meeting.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
