We had a friend of the house on the podcast to talk through what might be considered the bull case for Nigeria after a traumatic couple of years for the economy.
Great interview! I appreciated the advice on quick-win policies to support renewables, and roll it out at scale. While I agree on the potential for renewables, I think he's underestimating the dependence on China when he suggests that renewables (at least solar) doesn't put us at the mercy of other countries. We would still need to import all the materials and much of technical expertise needed to do grid-scale renewables.
Oh no, not underestimating at all. Just a question of relative dependence versus other technologies, terms of trade based on current global realities, and our ability to scale local expertise and jobs in the short term, again versus other technology options. We are able to affect outcomes a lot more effectively with solar.
It's a good point. But I genuinely wonder why it's so difficult to localise at least some solar panel production? Is the tech that difficult to master? I know Chinese scale is near impossible to match but Nigeria does have some advantages it can leverage, surely?
For broad economic growth and quality of life, the country needs power. So we should get that power however we can, even it means dependence on foreign countries. Localizing production is a nice-to-have.
I'm happy with that as long as it does not lead to bans. What I'm really keen on is the technological know-how. Even if you still import all of it because prices are cheaper elsewhere, it's useful to at least have the know-how and capability.
A few companies like Auxano solar and Oando clean energy are attempting local assembly/production of solar panels. There also an EU funded project being implemented by UNIDO on policy development and demonstration of circular business models for Used offgrid renewable energy equipment (ie: solar panels and batteries).
Great interview! I appreciated the advice on quick-win policies to support renewables, and roll it out at scale. While I agree on the potential for renewables, I think he's underestimating the dependence on China when he suggests that renewables (at least solar) doesn't put us at the mercy of other countries. We would still need to import all the materials and much of technical expertise needed to do grid-scale renewables.
Oh no, not underestimating at all. Just a question of relative dependence versus other technologies, terms of trade based on current global realities, and our ability to scale local expertise and jobs in the short term, again versus other technology options. We are able to affect outcomes a lot more effectively with solar.
It's a good point. But I genuinely wonder why it's so difficult to localise at least some solar panel production? Is the tech that difficult to master? I know Chinese scale is near impossible to match but Nigeria does have some advantages it can leverage, surely?
Solar panel ban coming soon...
Hustling backwards.... a ban is just so illogical. Subsidizing local panel production seems to be working for India to boost domestic panel production, but even they are still importing way more than they produce in order to meet local demand: https://www.fortuneindia.com/macro/indias-solar-boom-domestic-manufacturing-surges-as-exports-soar/120472
For broad economic growth and quality of life, the country needs power. So we should get that power however we can, even it means dependence on foreign countries. Localizing production is a nice-to-have.
I'm happy with that as long as it does not lead to bans. What I'm really keen on is the technological know-how. Even if you still import all of it because prices are cheaper elsewhere, it's useful to at least have the know-how and capability.
A few companies like Auxano solar and Oando clean energy are attempting local assembly/production of solar panels. There also an EU funded project being implemented by UNIDO on policy development and demonstration of circular business models for Used offgrid renewable energy equipment (ie: solar panels and batteries).
Any transcript?
Yes, at the top of the page click on transcript. It's AI generated so wont be 100% accurate