Niger State Government has allocated 500 hectares of land to Abuja Steel Mills Limited, a subsidiary of Raj Gupta’s African Industries Group (AIG), for the development of a massive solar farm and a new industrial park. The company says the project could become the largest solar-powered steel facility in sub-Saharan Africa.
The project will integrate a large-scale steel manufacturing complex with a dedicated solar power plant and the proposed AIG Industrial Park. The initiative is aimed at reducing manufacturers’ dependence on Nigeria’s unstable electricity supply while boosting industrial production through renewable energy.
Chairman of African Industries Group, Raj Gupta, described the land allocation as a landmark achievement, noting that the solar installation could become the largest in Nigeria and one of the biggest supporting a steel plant in West Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago said the investment aligns with his administration’s vision of transforming Niger State into a leading industrial hub. He revealed plans to designate an additional 200,000 hectares of industrial land extending toward Kaduna State, taking advantage of the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, abundant solar resources, and hydropower from the Kainji, Jebba, Shiroro, and Zungeru dams.
Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, commended African Industries for expanding into one of West Africa’s largest steel producers, employing about 10,000 workers. He said the investment supports the Federal Government’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030, with the steel industry expected to play a key role.
Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, also welcomed the project, saying major private-sector investments like this will help reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported steel, create employment opportunities, and strengthen local manufacturing.
