Proposal for the Development of Nigeria's New Energy Industry (Excerpt)

(Draft)

    The Federal Republic of Nigeria covers a land area of 0.9238 million square kilometers (ranking 14th in Africa) and has a population of 149 million. Geographically, Nigeria is located in the southeastern part of West Africa and at the apex of the Gulf of Guinea on Africa's western coast. It shares borders with Benin to the west (land area: 0.1126 million square kilometers, population: 11.8 million), Niger to the north (land area: 1.267 million square kilometers, population: 25.9 million), Chad to the northeast (with a small border across Lake Chad; land area: 1.284 million square kilometers, population: 17.72 million), and Cameroon to the east and southeast (land area: 475,400 square kilometers, population: 28.61 million). To the south, Nigeria is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean's Gulf of Guinea (land area: 0.2458 million square kilometers, population: 15.04 million). The country has a total boundary line of 4,035 kilometers and a coastline of 800 kilometers. In the 2016 global GDP rankings, Nigeria was the 27th largest economy and the largest in Africa. As a founding member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigeria holds a pivotal position in the region and wields significant political and military influence over the geopolitical landscape of West Africa.

    Nigeria's terrain is higher in the north and lower in the south, with numerous rivers. The climate is tropical monsoon, characterized by distinct dry and rainy seasons, and an average annual temperature of 26–27°C. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, comprising over 250 ethnic groups. The three largest ethnic groups are the Hausa-Fulani in the north (29% of the population), the Yoruba in the west (21%), and the Igbo in the east (18%). The official language is English, with approximately 50% of the population practicing Islam, 40% Christianity, and 10% adhering to other religions.

    Nigeria's manufacturing sector is relatively underdeveloped, with annual imports of light industrial products amounting to $11 billion. However, the country has demonstrated some competitiveness in the following product categories: electronics (e.g., telephones, televisions), household appliances (e.g., refrigerators, sewing machines, air conditioners), and automotive parts (e.g., motorcycles and vehicle components).

    The following sections provide recommendations for the development of new energy and related industries in Nigeria:

1. Overview of Nigeria's Energy Sector

    Nigeria's national grid relies on thermal power for 80% of its electricity generation, with hydropower accounting for the remaining 20%. The contribution of other energy sources is negligible. Currently, Nigeria faces a significant electricity supply gap and is one of the countries with the lowest power accessibility rates globally. Reports indicate that approximately 90 million people in the country still lack access to electricity.

2. Nigeria's Mineral Resources

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3. Advantages of China's New Energy Expansion into Nigeria

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4. Key Features and Considerations for Investing in Nigeria's New Energy Industry