Nigerian Solar Hubs Bring Clean Energy Financing Home

Getting solar power for your home just got easier in Nigeria, where a new partnership is bringing financing directly to customers at the moment they're ready to buy.

Sterling Bank and StarTimes Nigeria have launched Solar Financing Hubs inside StarTimes retail outlets across the country. The initiative lets customers walk in, choose their solar solution, and arrange financing on the spot with dedicated advisors.

The partnership isn't new, but it's scaling fast. Over the past year, the companies have already helped Nigerians access over ₦600 million in solar financing. Now they're aiming for ₦2 billion by the end of 2026, a more than threefold increase designed to reach thousands of households and small businesses.

The first five hubs opened this July across Lagos in Lekki, Ikeja, Festac, Surulere, and Victoria Island. By the end of third quarter 2026, the network will expand to 46 StarTimes outlets nationwide, with plans to eventually reach more than 200 locations.

For many Nigerian families, the upfront cost of solar systems has been the biggest barrier to clean, reliable energy. These hubs eliminate that obstacle by embedding financing expertise right where people shop.

"We believe that access to clean, reliable energy should be within everyone's reach," said Darlington Nwankwo, Divisional Head of Renewable Energy and Mobility at Sterling Bank. "This is about unlocking opportunity, improving livelihoods, and powering Nigeria's future."

The Ripple Effect

This partnership does more than help individual families switch to solar. It's building infrastructure for Nigeria's broader clean energy transition, creating a model that makes sustainable power accessible rather than aspirational.

Small businesses that previously couldn't afford reliable electricity can now consider solar as a real option. Families spending significant portions of their income on generators and fuel suddenly have an alternative path forward.

Sterling Bank has maintained a dedicated Renewable Energy division for years, positioning itself as a pioneer in sustainable development financing. StarTimes brings an extensive retail network and technical expertise in energy solutions.

Together, they're proving that making clean energy affordable isn't just about better technology. It's about meeting people where they are and removing the financial barriers that keep progress out of reach.

Thousands of Nigerian homes and businesses are about to get brighter.