The Netherlands Government has unveiled Nigeria’s Online Solar Marketplace in Lagos to help Nigeria’s transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, connecting business opportunities and facilitating tailored networking between public and private stakeholders.
In his opening remarks at the occasion, the consul general of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Michel Deelen, said that the digital solar marketplace was created to establish a clear entry point for supply and demand.
He emphasised that the Nigerian solar marketplace was vital to the Dutch commitment to promoting renewable energy and sustainable development.
The envoy explained the growing interest from Dutch and Nigerian businesses, with a Dutch company recently signing a MoU to build a factory for next-generation solar panels in Nigeria.
The President of the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers, Ingrid Thijssen, highlighted the confederation’s role in influencing Dutch government policies and aiding businesses in navigating new regulations.
According to Thijssen, the confederation supports Dutch entrepreneurs in international business ventures.
“The solar marketplace serves as an example of how the Dutch government facilitates opportunities for Dutch companies to thrive in Nigeria,” Thijssen said.
In her speech, the Policy Officer for Renewable Energy at the Dutch Embassy in Nigeria, Bukola Lucas, said the consulate had been tasked with the responsibility of developing Nigeria’s solar energy sector and fostering sustainable trade.
She noted that since the launch of the solar marketplace, the Dutch Embassy had set up an online platform and a secretariat.
She stressed the platform’s role in connecting trusted solar energy businesses.
“The marketplace aims to advocate for Dutch businesses already operating in Nigeria and those looking to enter the market, assisting them in navigating the system effectively,” local media reports quoted Lucas as saying.
GIK/APA
Netherlands promotes renewable energy, sustainable development in Nigeria
