NEWS
Indian Billionaire, Raj Gupta Secures 500 Hectares for Proposed Sub-Saharan Africa’s Largest Solar Steel Plant in Nigeria
Niger State has allocated 500 hectares of land to Abuja Steel Mills Limited for the development of what could become the largest solar-powered steel manufacturing facility in sub-Saharan Africa, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s industrialisation drive.
The ambitious project, spearheaded by Indian billionaire Raj Gupta, will combine large-scale steel production with a dedicated solar power plant designed to provide reliable electricity for the facility. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce dependence on Nigeria’s often unstable national power grid while promoting cleaner and more sustainable industrial operations.
Beyond the steel plant, the development will also include a new industrial park aimed at attracting manufacturing businesses and creating a thriving industrial ecosystem within the state.
The project forms part of Niger State’s broader strategy to position itself as one of Nigeria’s leading industrial corridors. To support this vision, the state government is providing additional land for industrial expansion, alongside access to gas pipeline infrastructure and hydroelectric assets to strengthen energy supply for investors.
Government officials believe investments in steel production and renewable energy are critical to accelerating Nigeria’s economic transformation. They say the project aligns with the country’s long-term ambition of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030, while boosting local manufacturing, creating thousands of jobs, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in the regional steel market.
If completed as planned, the solar-powered steel complex is expected to rank among the largest industrial investments in the region, reinforcing Nigeria’s growing appeal as a destination for large-scale manufacturing and clean energy de
velopment.