By Lateefat Ogunyale
In furtherance of its mandate to strengthen local content and reduce import dependence through the development and utilization of indigenous raw materials, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) Lagos Coordination Office, recently undertook an industry visit to Gennex Technologies Limited, Lekki, Lagos, to explore opportunities for integrating locally sourced raw materials into renewable energy manufacturing. The visit sought to assess the Company’s solar energy production processes, identify entry points for indigenous raw materials within its manufacturing value chain and explore prospects for collaboration in research, product development and capacity building.
The RMRDC delegation led by the State Coordinator, Mrs. Uchechukwu Ojiakor was received by the management of Gennex Technologies Limited, led by Co-founder Mrs. Toyin Ilo and Sales Manager Mr. Emmanuel. In her welcome remarks, Mrs. Ilo provided an overview of Gennex Technologies Limited, highlighting its core operations, ongoing activities and contributions to Nigeria’s renewable energy sector. She described Gennex Technologies Limited as a leading renewable energy company with a strong focus on delivering comprehensive solar power and backup solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial customers across the country. She also noted that the Company specializes in designing, supplying, and installing high‑quality solar products such as solar panels, hybrid inverters with advanced MPPT technology, deep‑cycle batteries, solar mounting systems, and a wide range of complementary accessories.
During further engagement, the Sales Manager, Mr. Emmanuel, showcased the company’s product lines to the RMRDC team, highlighting key offerings such as solar inverters, lithium-based batteries, solar panels, solar torches, and chargers. He explained that although, several critical components used in these products are currently imported, Gennex Technologies actively champions awareness on innovations that utilize indigenous raw materials, including aluminium, polymer casings, thermal interface materials, and locally fabricated components.
Speaking thereafter, Mrs. Ojiakor outlined RMRDC’s mandate to promote the development and optimal utilization of Nigeria’s industrial raw materials, and the importance of strengthening local content through strategic industry partnerships. She stated that the activities of Gennex Technologies align with the Council’s statutory mandate to promote local content and reduce import dependence. According to her “RMRDC is committed to driving research-based substitution of imported raw materials with locally available alternatives. Our interaction with Gennex Technologies is strategic to strengthening Nigeria’s renewable energy manufacturing capacity and enhancing industrial competitiveness”.
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The RMRDC team identified key materials currently used by Gennex Technologies, such as lithium cells, PCB boards, semiconductor components, and casing materials, which are still largely imported but are essential to the performance, safety, and efficiency of solar inverters, batteries, and related energy solutions. Recognizing the reliance on imports, Mrs. Ojiakor highlighted substantial opportunities for local content development by substituting imported components with locally sourced alternatives. Specifically, she noted that aluminium, plastics and polymers, metallic frames and connectors, and insulating materials could be sourced or fabricated locally. She explained that integrating locally sourced raw materials would reduce import dependence, lower production costs, enhance sustainability and stimulate growth across multiple sectors of the Nigerian economy. In line with these opportunities, Mrs Uchechukwu Ojiakor proposed a strategic partnership between Gennex Technologies and the RMRDC to support local sourcing, technology development and industry linkages. She noted that such collaboration would help Gennex reduce import dependence, lower production costs, enhance sustainability and stimulate growth across multiple sectors of the Nigerian economy.
In response, Mrs. Ilo welcomed the proposed partnership, noting that collaboration with RMRDC will help accelerate the integration of indigenous raw materials into renewable energy technologies. She also noted that strengthening the local value chain would encourage more manufacturers, promote healthy competition, reduce monopoly within the industry, and strengthen Nigeria’s clean energy ecosystem. However, she highlighted challenges such as import barriers, high foreign exchange costs, limited availability of local suppliers for technical raw materials, and the need for improved policy incentives to support renewable energy manufacturing. Mrs. Ilo also expressed readiness to collaborate with RMRDC on raw materials substitution research, battery material development involving graphite, manganese, and silica, and the local fabrication of mechanical components.
