The imposition of 10 per cent duty on import of solar panels and cells will have negative impact of such a move on domestic solar in Nigeria and will be detrimental to the Nigerian solar industry across the 36 states. The increase in import duty is causing serious injury to the domestic industry, 10 per cent import duty increase will skyrocket the prices of solar products in Nigeria, and discourages individuals from opting for solar energy. Nigeria’s solar energy initiatives will face a setback as the government has proposed new import duty increase on solar panels from five to 10 per cent in the budget for fiscal 2018 to 2019. Many solar energy projects will fail because they lack proper planning and long-term government support on solar power in Nigeria. The proposed increase in import duty will lead to spiraling of the prices of solar panels that cost more than half of what is spent on installing solar systems.

Source: Nigerian Tribune April 18, 2018 01:52 UTC