Meetings stop, systems reboot, someone runs downstairs to check if the generator has fuel.

The national grid doesn’t fail once in a while, it fails often. In early 2026, it went down repeatedly within weeks. That followed months of outages in 2025 and several collapses the year before.

For tech companies that depend on constant uptime, those interruptions add up so fast.

Generators used to be the fallback. Most offices had one by default. That option is no longer cheap or reliable. Fuel prices have skyrocketed, spare parts cost more, and maintenance never ends. On top of that, the noise and fumes make long workdays harder than they should be.

Because of this, many tech teams have started looking elsewhere for power they can actually depend on.

Why Solar Became the Best Backup for Tech

As fossil fuels become more expensive and less practical, solar power has stepped in as a smarter, cleaner, and more reliable alternative.

The costs of solar power packages such as panels, inverters, and batteries have dropped significantly in Nigeria because of cheaper imports, local supply growth, and more competition among vendors in the growing market.

Solar systems with batteries provide clean, quiet energy without the uncomfortable noise of generators. When looking at cost, they cost far less per unit of power (between N85–N150/kWh) when compared to grid rates (N220–N270/kWh), or fossil-fueled generators.

For tech operations that need constant uptime, like coding, cloud services, or online platforms, solar energy setups are smarter choices than the noisy, fuel-hungry generators or Nigeria’s unreliable electricity supply system.

They offer a steady supply during outages, reduce carbon footprint, and align with global sustainability goals that attract foreign investors.

Where Solar is Already Powering the Ecosystem

Massive adoption of solar energy is already visible across Nigeria’s tech ecosystem. Across Lagos and Abuja, many co-working spaces and tech hubs now depend on solar power to stay open.

Places like CcHUB and Leadspace, especially around Yaba and Victoria Island, no longer shut down work because the light went out.

The internet stays on, air conditioners keep running, and people keep working, even when the rest of the area is in darkness.

The same thing is happening inside fintech offices, call centres, and corporate teams that cannot afford downtime. Solar systems help them get through busy work hours without stopping transactions, delaying paperwork, or losing contact with customers.

Telecom companies have also moved in this direction. More base stations and internet infrastructure now run on solar, particularly in areas where grid power is weak or unreliable. It’s one of the few ways to keep networks stable in places the national grid doesn’t consistently reach.

Solar’s Role in Reducing Startup Operating Costs

By cutting energy costs, which is a major expense for tech businesses, solar energy directly improves profitability.

Reliable power means higher uptime, fewer hours lost, and higher productivity. Teams can focus more on building and maintaining their products instead of managing generators or dealing with unpredictable power outages.

Some tech hubs and offices can now run 12 to 16 hours daily because of solar power, or even go fully off-grid in cases like certain Lagos-based offices such as Sterling Towers.

This improves scalability as startups can expand their servers, hire more remote developers, or launch new features without worrying about the next blackout.

Also, tech startups that implement solar energy solutions have a competitive advantage because investor confidence relies on execution speed and solar frees up capital for growth rather than endless fuel bills.

Enabling Remote Work and Digital Services

The reliability of solar energy also supports Nigeria’s growing remote work culture. Freelancers, developers, and remote teams in different cities can stay connected without fear of sudden disruptions because of blackouts.

Solar-powered home offices let individuals run their laptops, internet routers, home lights, and even small servers steadily, enabling more participation in software exports, outsourcing gigs, and online services.

To an extent, it levels the playing field, allowing more Nigerians, especially in deprived areas, to join the global digital economy from anywhere and contribute to skill exports and job creation in the tech space.

Local Solar Innovation Meets Local Tech Needs

Home-grown innovation also plays a big role in the adoption of solar energy. Nigerian solar startups and installers, such as Arnergy which raised $18 million to help Nigerians dump generators, and SunFi which also got $2 million in funding are good indicators that the solar energy market is growing and gaining more investors.

Nigeria is currently the second-largest importer of solar energy solutions in Africa, with over 1721 megawatts imported in the first half of 2025. Also, the market is projected to grow from 3.13 GW in 2024 to 5.01 GW by 2029.

These positive trends indicate that solar energy will gain more adoption, and local innovations are important to ensure the market is not dependent on imports.

These startups offer smart inverters with monitoring apps that can track energy usage in real time through smartphones, helping tech teams optimise power for servers and devices.

Pay-as-you-go or flexible financing models also make solar setups more affordable for individuals, startups, and SMEs because it spreads costs over time instead of requiring large upfront payments.

Challenges Slowing Wider Solar Adoption

Despite the progress, there are still challenges involved. High initial costs, worsened by forex volatility for imported parts such as panels, inverters, and batteries, deter some adopters despite falling prices.

Also, fake or low-quality panels are now more rampant in the market, leading to poor performance, quick failures, and reduced trust. These issues slow down adoption as frustrated users spread negative experiences.

Poor installations add extra risks, such as system inefficiencies or safety hazards. Limited government incentives, inconsistent policies, and infrastructure gaps like weak grid integration for hybrids further slow down the adoption of solar energy solutions even as the demand increases.

Thus,

Looking at the next 3–5 years, hybrid setups that combine grid, solar, and batteries could become the standard for tech companies. Solar will evolve from just power backup to a core part of digital infrastructure, supporting expanding data centres, AI tools, cloud services, and general fintech growth.

In the end, solar power works quietly behind the scenes as an important enabler of Nigeria’s complex digital economy. It powers the servers and connects the teams even when the grid collapses.

For founders building the next big app specially made for Nigerians, investors looking for opportunities, and policymakers creating new regulations, embracing this off-grid solution could define the success of Nigeria’s tech ecosystem in the coming years.

The deal, finalised with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Stanbic IBTC Bank, is the largest energy access facility ever arranged in local currency in West Africa.

This development is particularly important because the funds are denominated in naira, not dollars. In a market repeatedly battered by currency volatility, this matters. “What’s really exciting about this is that it’s a local-currency facility. It eliminates foreign-exchange risk and allows us to offer more affordable financing to our customers,” said Anish Thakkar, Sun King’s co-founder.

Sun King plans to use the funds to provide solar electricity systems to an additional four million households across Nigeria within the next five years. That would more than double its existing footprint, which currently covers two million homes.

The solar kits come with small panels and rechargeable batteries, and users pay around $0.21 (N320) daily over the course of a year. For many rural communities, it’s a significant yet manageable cost in exchange for the stability and dignity of having constant power. The hardware is designed to last up to a decade.

We can’t ignore the scale of Nigeria’s electricity problem. Around 90 million people in the country remain disconnected from the grid. That’s nearly half the population. Diesel generators and candlelight remain their fallback options.

This new loan is part of an international initiative to bridge Africa’s energy gap. It feeds into Mission 300, a joint initiative by the World Bank and African Development Bank that aims to connect 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030.

The project expects both public and private investments to pour into scalable, cost-effective energy solutions.

In 2021, Sun King, previously known as Greenlight Planet, pulled off a similar $75 million deal in Kenya focused on off-grid energy expansion.

For Nigeria, international support for electrification continues to build. Last December, the World Bank helped arrange a separate $750 million loan targeting renewable and off-grid energy.

That deal is expected to unlock over $1 billion in private capital and deliver electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians.

This collaboration aims to enhance energy access in underserved communities across Nigeria, while contributing to IHS’ broader efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of their operations. 

The partnership is a testament to both companies’ commitment to sustainability and innovation, highlighting their shared vision of providing essential services to underserved communities.

Jaza Energy, known for its innovative approach to clean energy access, will install solar-powered hubs, known as Jaza Hubs, at 250 IHS Nigeria sites in Nigeria. These hubs not only provide clean energy to help power the towers, but also offer a more sustainable energy source for local communities. 

The excess power generated by the solar panels on these hubs will be used to charge battery packs for local households and businesses, reducing reliance on diesel generators.

Closely aligned with this partnership’s sentiment is IHS Towers’ Project Green initiative. The initiative involves an investment of over $200 million between 2022 and 2024, as part of IHS Towers’ Carbon Reduction Roadmap and target to reduce kilowatt-hour emissions intensity by approximately 50% by 2030.

“Sustainability is a core value at IHS Towers. Project Green is part of our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint. This partnership with Jaza Energy complements this initiative, as we seek to integrate more solar solutions on our sites, and simultaneously help support local communities. In this case, by helping Jaza Energy provide more local households with access to battery packs for domestic use, as substitutes for diesel-powered generators.” stated Mohamad Darwish, CEO of IHS Nigeria.

The impact of the Jaza Hubs extends beyond providing power. Each hub acts as a one-stop energy shop, offering a vital service to communities that have traditionally lacked access to reliable electricity.

Jaza Energy’s unique model helps foster community development by employing local women to operate the hubs. This approach not only provides job opportunities, but also helps empower women within these communities, fostering local economic growth and social inclusion.

To date, Jaza Energy has delivered over 3 million solar battery swaps and reached more than 100,000 people in Tanzania and Nigeria with its clean energy solutions.

The company’s expansion into Nigeria, supported by its partnership with IHS Nigeria, is expected to reach approximately 200,000 more people by the end of 2025, bringing clean, renewable energy to some of the most underserved areas in Nigeria.

“By partnering with IHS Nigeria, Jaza will extend the reach of clean energy even further, building upon IHS Nigeria’s foundational role in connecting the nation. We are thrilled to collaborate with a company dedicated to sustainability, and we look forward to aiding IHS Nigeria’s journey towards a greener future.” said Jeff Schnurr, CEO of Jaza Energy.

IHS Towers has a track record of promoting sustainable energy solutions. The company’s efforts go beyond its current Project Green and comprehensive approach to reducing its carbon footprint.

Prior to Project Green, IHS Nigeria had already deployed hybrid power systems on over 9,000 sites across Nigeria between 2016-2018. By integrating solar power with traditional energy sources, these systems have helped reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources. 

Beyond Jaza, as part of its commitment to community support, IHS Nigeria has implemented various initiatives to provide reliable power to local communities and essential services.

For instance, in 2022, the company donated 106 units of solar-powered streetlights across three Nigerian states, benefiting approximately 510,000 residents. 

The company also takes an active role in environmental stewardship and education. Through its Clean Air Campaign, launched in 2022, IHS Nigeria collaborated with external stakeholders to help address emissions.

Through media channels, IHS Nigeria sought to raise awareness about the importance of reducing air pollution and the role of sustainable energy solutions in achieving this goal.

IHS Nigeria also established an Energy Hub in Alimosho, Lagos State, a well-equipped space for entrepreneurs to develop innovative ideas and solutions that seek to contribute to the nation’s energy efficiency goals.

This hub serves as a focal point for energy-related innovation, providing a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing among industry experts, entrepreneurs, and the broader community. 

The partnership between IHS Nigeria and Jaza Energy is more than just a business collaboration; it is a shared commitment to creating a sustainable and inclusive future.

By prioritising energy efficiency and embracing renewable sources such as solar power, both companies are helping pave the way for a brighter and more sustainable future.

The projected emissions reduction of approximately 32,600 – 33,000 tonnes of CO2e over the seven-year agreement, from the 250 hubs, is a step towards achieving Nigeria’s environmental goals.

In an era where access to reliable and clean energy is crucial for development, the IHS Nigeria and Jaza Energy partnership represents a model for how private sector collaboration can drive positive change.

The Customer Service Week is an international celebration of the importance of customer service and of the people who serve and support customers daily.

It is celebrated annually during the first full week of October. This year’s celebration with the theme ‘Team Service’ holds from October 2nd to 6th.

Speaking during the commencement of events, Adetola Oshomah, Head of Customer Experience at Ecobank Nigeria, said the week is not just a celebration of the bank’s commitment to service excellence, but a celebration of customers for choosing Ecobank as their preferred financial partner and their contributions to the bank’s successes.

She thanked the customers for trusting the bank and also for their continual use of the bank’s products and services across all touchpoints.

“You are the reason we are constantly investing in our technology and equipping our staff with the requisite skills and resources to provide you with the relevant solutions you need. For us at Ecobank, customer service is a lifestyle centered around exceptional experiences. Our aim is to create unforgettable and positive moments for our customers. We are renewing our commitment to becoming the best in the business and we are cultivating the passion of delivering exceptional experiences. In this ever-changing world, we understand that customers’ needs evolve, that’s why we continuously endeavor to improve and innovate, listening attentively to customer insights which have helped us to develop innovative products and services that cater to your goals,” she stated.

Only recently Ecobank Nigeria commenced the remodeling of its branches across the country, this effort has seen the bank turning its existing banking halls into modern smart banking arenas designed to offer a cozy experience to customers and other stakeholders of the bank who visit the branches.

This was a deliberate and strategic decision by the bank to ensure that customers transact seamlessly in an environment where they are happy to come to everyday whilst providing the best banking experience for them.

The remodeled branches are equipped with fully functional digital service points, new ATMs, solar power for uninterrupted 24/7 electricity and other facilities for an enhanced customer experience.

Ecobank Nigeria Limited is an affiliate of the Ecobank Group, the leading pan-African banking group. The bank offers a comprehensive suite of financial services and solutions to its Consumer, Commercial, Corporate and Investment Banking clients at over 200 branches and 60,000 Xpress Point agency locations in Nigeria.

However, the limitations of solar power have led researchers and engineers to explore innovative solutions that extend the benefits of solar energy beyond daylight hours. 

One such breakthrough is the concept of harnessing solar energy at night, unlocking new possibilities for clean and sustainable power generation.

The Need for 24/7 Renewable Energy

As the world seeks to transition away from fossil fuels and mitigate climate change, the demand for renewable energy sources that can provide a consistent supply of power is growing. Solar power, while abundant during the day, faces challenges when the sun sets or during cloudy weather. To bridge this gap, scientists have been working on developing technologies that store solar energy during the day and release it as electricity during the night.

Understanding Nocturnal Solar Power

Nocturnal solar power, also known as night-time photovoltaics, involves capturing and storing sunlight during the day and converting it into electricity to power homes and businesses when the sun is not shining. This concept leverages specialized solar panels and advanced energy storage systems to ensure a seamless transition from day to night energy generation.

Key Technologies Driving Nocturnal Solar Power

1. Thermal Energy Storage: One approach to harnessing solar energy at night is through thermal energy storage. This involves using concentrated solar power to heat a storage medium such as molten salt during the day. The stored heat is then used to generate steam and drive turbines to produce electricity during the night.

2. Photovoltaic (PV) Cells with Nighttime Capability: Researchers are exploring the development of PV cells that can work under low-light conditions, such as moonlight and city lights. These cells are engineered to capture a broader range of light wavelengths, enabling them to generate power even when sunlight is limited.

3. Advanced Energy Storage: Batteries, supercapacitors, and other energy storage solutions are crucial components of nocturnal solar power systems. These technologies store excess energy generated during the day and release it when needed, ensuring a consistent power supply around the clock.

Benefits and Challenges

Harnessing solar energy at night offers several benefits, including reduced reliance on non-renewable energy sources, increased energy security, and minimized carbon emissions. Moreover, nocturnal solar power could contribute to energy independence and grid stability. However, challenges such as optimizing storage technologies, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency improvements remain important areas of research and development.

Future Prospects

As technology advancements continue to reshape the energy landscape, the potential for harnessing solar energy at night holds promise. Researchers and innovators are tirelessly working to improve the efficiency of nocturnal solar power systems and make them more accessible and affordable for widespread adoption.

Nocturnal solar power represents a groundbreaking advancement in renewable energy technology, offering the possibility of round-the-clock clean energy generation. While there are still challenges to overcome, the potential benefits of harnessing solar energy at night are undoubtedly exciting. As we continue to push the boundaries of innovation, it’s clear that the sun’s energy can illuminate not only our days but also our nights in a more sustainable and responsible way.