Governor Dauda Lawal Zamfara Solar Deal gains momentum as GCL Group explores major solar investments to boost clean energy, jobs and industrial growth

Executive Governor of Zamfara State Dauda Lawal has held a high-level investment roundtable with senior executives of Chinese energy giant GCL Group, securing fresh commitments to explore large-scale solar power investments as part of his ongoing trade and investment mission to the People’s Republic of China.

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The meeting focused on attracting large-scale solar power investments to Zamfara State and accelerating industrial development through sustainable energy partnerships.

The engagement also brought together Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State and senior executives of GCL Group, one of China’s leading energy conglomerates founded by billionaire entrepreneur Zhu Gongshan.

Discussions centred on expanding economic cooperation with Nigeria while unlocking Zamfara’s significant but largely untapped solar energy potential.

A major outcome of the meeting was GCL Group’s expression of strong interest in investing in utility-scale solar projects across Zamfara State.

The company also indicated its readiness to explore partnerships covering technology transfer, local content development and workforce training, areas that could strengthen the state’s long-term economic competitiveness.

Governor Dauda Lawal described the discussions as part of a broader strategy to position Zamfara as an attractive destination for international investment.

“Our objective is to build partnerships that deliver sustainable development, create jobs and improve the quality of life for the people of Zamfara State through reliable and affordable energy,” Governor Dauda Lawal said.

GCL Group executives welcomed the opportunity to deepen cooperation with Zamfara State and agreed to establish a joint technical working group to move the discussions towards implementation.

“We are prepared to explore practical areas of collaboration and will dispatch an investment and technical mission to Zamfara State to conduct detailed assessments,” representatives of GCL Group said during the meeting.

The technical working group will begin developing a framework covering feasibility studies, project financing, regulatory requirements and project structuring.

Following its initial work, GCL Group plans to send technical and investment specialists to Zamfara for on-site evaluations and stakeholder engagements before any final investment decisions are made.

The agreement represents another significant step in Governor Lawal’s wider investment drive in China, where the administration has been engaging companies and financial institutions across the renewable energy, mining, agriculture and infrastructure sectors.

The latest discussions also produced an important secondary milestone, with both parties committing to a structured roadmap designed to move negotiations beyond preliminary talks.

If realised, the proposed solar projects could expand access to reliable electricity for homes, businesses and industries while supporting new manufacturing activity and reducing dependence on Nigeria’s often strained national grid.

Increased electricity supply could also improve the operating environment for small and medium-sized enterprises and stimulate wider private sector investment.

Beyond power generation, the partnership could create employment during both construction and long-term operations, while providing opportunities for local contractors and technical professionals.

Capacity-building initiatives discussed during the meeting may also help develop a skilled workforce capable of supporting future renewable energy projects.

The talks come as Nigeria continues to pursue greater investment in renewable energy under its broader energy transition agenda.

Several state governments have intensified efforts to attract private capital into clean energy projects as demand for reliable electricity continues to outpace supply across many parts of the country.

Governor Lawal has made investment attraction a central pillar of his administration, seeking to diversify Zamfara’s economy beyond its traditional dependence on mining and agriculture.

Previous engagements during the China mission have included meetings with investors and financial institutions exploring opportunities across multiple sectors.

While no financial value or project capacity was announced, the establishment of a joint technical working group and GCL Group’s planned visit to Zamfara indicate that discussions have entered a more structured phase.

Any eventual agreements will depend on the outcome of technical assessments, financing arrangements and regulatory approvals.

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The Deal could become a notable example of how strategic international partnerships support state-level economic transformation if the proposed investments proceed to implementation.