Nigeria's off-grid and mini-grid solar segment is the largest in Africa. Chinese imports face SONCAP conformity, Form M banking friction and a 5% import duty — this guide walks through each.
NG solar imports 2024
820 MW
estimated
TOPCon 550W CIF Lagos
$0.132/W
May 2026
Import duty (HS 8541)
5%
+ 7.5% VAT
SONCAP is the gating certification
Every shipment needs a SONCAP certificate issued at origin by SGS, Intertek or Cotecna after PVoC (Product Verification of Conformity). Turnaround: 5–10 business days once the supplier submits test reports and load list.
For any single import over USD 20,000, the buyer must open a Form M via their Nigerian bank before the supplier ships. Missing Form M = cargo cannot clear customs regardless of paid duties.
Frequently asked questions
QCan I use naira LC for Chinese suppliers?
No — LCs must be USD or EUR. Nigerian banks with strong China correspondent banking include GTBank, Access, Zenith, and First Bank.
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