Renewable energy, agriculture: Why we ‘re organizing infrastructure dialogue – DPH, Nnachi

In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration, an expert has advised federal government to adopt gradual phase-out of importation of solar panels into the county but rather invest in growing the capacity for the production locally.

The federal government through the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, had last week revealed plan to ban importation of solar panel.

Nnaji said the move will drive Nigeria’s clean energy transition, adding that the country has the capacity to meet its solar energy demands locally.

Addressing a news conference Monday in Abuja, on the global demand for energy and the need to improve investment in agriculture, Managing Partner of Deutsch Partners Holding (DPH), Dr. Onuoha Nnachi, said there is need for greater efficiency in practice of agriculture in Nigeria, adding that such is the backbone of economic development globally.

He revealed a plan to hold an infrastructure Dialogue on Thursday this week, which will focus on “Financing Sustainable Energy and Agricultural Infrastructure for Economic development.”

Speakers at the event include: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Abubakar Aliyu, and his counterpart in the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), among others.

According to Dr. Nnachi, achieving sustainable energy and agricultural infrastructure development requires investment.

He said it requires bold, strategic financing that bridges the gap between ambition and action.

“I will not say open Nigerian border for continuous importation of solar-related matters, but we can begin to say that as of today, we only align this percentage.

“You begin to draw it down, but not only wil you reduce the number of importation, but you must also invest in growing the capacity for the production to start.

” If you don’t invest in that production plant to be established, and the federal government injects capital in the form of grants and takes up equity in those production plants? If you throw that zero in, my brothers and sisters, you have opened a floodgate for smuggling. That will affect the economy. Now, you will deny Customs the money they will make because it will land in Ghana, it will land in Niger, it will land in Cameroon, and it will still enter.

“So, there should be a gradual phase-out, and that will work. And that phase-out should be equated to the manufacturing capacity of the nation. So, it has to be backed with data.”

On the Infrastructure Dialogue, Dr. Nnachi said the central issue in focus lies at the heart of the country’s collective future:” financing sustainable energy and agricultural infrastructure as a cornerstone for economic development, is not just a conversation. It is, in essence, a call to action, a blueprint for progress, and a commitment to the prosperity of our communities, our nations, and our planet.

“We live in a time of unprecedented opportunity and challenge. The global demand for energy is rising, yet we must meet it in ways that preserve our environment for future generations.

” At the same time, agriculture, which is essentially the backbone of economies worldwide, faces pressures from climate change, population growth, and the need for greater efficiency.

“These are not separate issues; they are deeply interconnected. Sustainable energy powers modern agriculture, and_ thriving agriculture fuels economic stability. Together, they form a vital cycle that can lift societies out of poverty, create jobs, and drive innovation.”

Nnachi said the dialogue is aimed to achieve establishment of knowledge transfer, infrastructure entrepreneurship scheme, train the trainers scheme, sustainable structure and policy recommendations, among.