Technology
NBTI unveils solar plan for one million small businesses
The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) has unveiled a solar initiative targeting one million micro and small businesses across Nigeria to cut energy costs and boost productivity.
Director-General, Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday while presenting outcomes of the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026 held in London.
Raji said the initiative, tagged Tinubu Light, is designed to tackle high energy costs and unreliable power that force small businesses to rely on petrol and diesel generators.
He said potential beneficiaries include tailors, barbers, hairdressers, pharmacies, restaurants, food vendors, printers, retailers, POS operators and women and youth-led enterprises.
According to him, access to affordable solar solutions will help businesses reduce operating costs, extend working hours and improve productivity.
Raji said the programme targets 10,000 field marketers for training and deployment and 50,000 direct youth jobs in its first phase.
He said the first phase projects N30 billion in blended financing and about N12 billion in annual economic benefits, subject to implementation assumptions.
He said beyond energy access, the initiative envisages support for business formalisation and financial inclusion, including building credit histories for informal enterprises.
Raji stressed that success will depend on sound financing, transparent beneficiary selection, reliable equipment, maintenance and effective monitoring.
He said NBTI will work with public institutions, financial partners, private operators and development organisations to deliver the programme.
The solar plan is part of a broader $600 million proposed investment and development-finance portfolio NBTI is pursuing for innovation and clean energy.
Raji said the portfolio includes a $500 million solar-energy programme being discussed with Gigawatt Global to develop solar farms in universities and polytechnics under Power Purchase Agreements.
It also includes a $100 million financing opportunity linked to the Tinubu Light Initiative, backed by an MoU with Financial Innovation for Impact, UK, also known as Cambridge Investors.
He clarified the figures are proposed opportunities, not funds received, noting realisation depends on due diligence, financing arrangements, approvals and contractual commitments.
Raji spoke at the press conference on the NextGen Innovation Challenge 2026, organised by NBTI with UKALD, whose finale held October 9 at ExCeL London.
He said 298 innovators from 36 states and FCT participated, up from 105 in 2025, showcasing solutions in AI, robotics, agriculture, healthcare, education, renewable energy and digital tech.
He said Dubai-based investor Erin Grover announced $100,000 commitment for three women innovators to boost access to finance, mentorship and business support.
The challenge also produced 16 innovators selected for international accelerator training in Finland, Estonia, Poland and Abu Dhabi worth $10,000 each, totalling $160,000.
The Learning and Development Bureau UK also offered each of the 16 a Pre-MBA Level 7 scholarship worth over £5,000, totalling over £80,000, plus support for UK Global Talent Visa applications.
Raji urged investors to assess opportunities on merit, do due diligence and back commercialisation of Nigerian technologies, saying NBTI will focus on turning exposure into market access and innovation into enterprise and jobs.