Abia State Governor Alex Otti has welcomed a proposed $145 million investment to establish a solar manufacturing plant in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area. This development is seen as a major boost to the state’s industrial and renewable energy ambitions. The announcement was made in a statement issued on Thursday by Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, following Otti's meeting with investors led by Dr. Oko Jaja on July 16, 2026.
Project Details and State Support
Governor Otti expressed encouragement that the proposed project had reached the Final Investment Decision (FID) stage, with investors committing up to $145 million. Dr. Oko Jaja, representing the investors, confirmed that the project, developed with Chinese partners, had advanced significantly. The first tranche of funding is anticipated by September 2026, paving the way for implementation.
Dennis Madu Nwakamma, Chief Executive Officer of MD NWAKANMA NIGERIA Limited, added that construction of the plant is expected to commence by the end of September 2026. This initiative will operate as a public-private partnership with the Abia State Government. The facility will manufacture solar panels and related products, simultaneously creating jobs and providing technical training for young people in the state.
Governor Otti reiterated the state’s continued support for the investors. He highlighted that the government had already provided the necessary land for the project. He also assured readiness to address any additional requirements to facilitate the investment.
Abia's Broader Investment Landscape
The proposed investment further strengthens Abia’s growing focus on the renewable energy sector. The state is notable for having a regulated electricity market and hosts Geometric Power, an integrated power system supplying electricity to Aba and surrounding communities. This aligns with previous efforts to enhance power infrastructure.
In March 2026, Governor Otti commissioned an upgraded 5MVA power station at Abia State University, doubling its capacity from 2.5MVA to improve electricity supply within the institution. Earlier, in February 2024, the 188MW Geometric Power Plant was commissioned, a significant project aimed at expanding power generation and access across the state.
The solar manufacturing facility is the latest in a series of investment projects announced for Abia, as the state actively seeks to attract private capital into manufacturing and infrastructure. In March 2026, Governor Otti commissioned a $35 million industrial facility in Aba, part of a planned $100 million investment designed to deepen the city’s manufacturing base.
The state government also completed the acquisition of Afro Beverages from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) for N500 million, aiming to revive the company. Separately, the Federal Government and the African Development Bank have urged the Abia State Government to resolve administrative delays affecting the commencement of the $263.8 million Abia State Integrated Infrastructural Development (ABSIID) project.
