In a move to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to affordable and sustainable energy, StarTimes Smart Solar, in partnership with MPDCL and Sterling Bank’s Imperium, brought together business leaders, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs for the Energy Sensitization for MSMEs/SMEs event held on November 6, 2025, in Lagos.
The three-hour session, themed “Empowering MSMEs through Sustainable Energy,” focused on encouraging local enterprises to embrace solar power as a practical solution to the country’s rising energy costs.
Opening the session, Board Chairman of MPDCL, Ibrahim Usman, stressed the urgent need for alternative energy sources within Nigeria’s industrial landscape. Citing his personal experience with solar systems, he described solar as both a financial relief and an environmentally responsible choice. He noted that energy often accounts for nearly half of production expenses for many MSMEs, making solar a viable path toward growth and sustainability.
Delivering the keynote address, Eric Xiao, Vice President of StarTimes Nigeria, outlined the company’s expanding renewable energy initiatives. He mentioned two completed mini-grid projects in Northern Nigeria and 22 ongoing installations across the country. Xiao emphasized that StarTimes’ goal is to make solar energy accessible, affordable, and reliable for Nigerian businesses. Through its partnership with Sterling Bank’s Imperium, the company aims to remove financial barriers and help MSMEs focus on productivity and long-term growth.
The event highlighted StarTimes’ evolution beyond entertainment into the broader renewable energy and technology space, strengthening its reputation as a brand driving innovation and inclusion. Acting Managing Director of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Oweh Mba-Sam, commended the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention for manufacturers facing rising diesel costs and unstable power supply. He added that the MAN Secretariat would coordinate engagements with interested manufacturers to ensure feasibility checks and protect members’ interests.
Representing Sterling Bank, Kelly Aigbedion, Head of Business Development for Renewable Energy, presented flexible financing models under the Imperium Solar Scheme designed to help MSMEs access solar power without collateral. She explained that the bank’s headquarters currently operates on 80–90% solar power, demonstrating its commitment to the technology. According to her, applicants only need CAC documents, one-year bank statements, and transaction records, while loan interest rates range from 15% to 30% depending on the facility size.
Providing a technical overview, StarTimes’ Assistant Director for Commercial and Industrial Projects, Engr. Rotimi Olorunfemi, explained that energy costs make up around 40% of industrial overheads. He announced a 5% discount for SMEs that register interest within one month of the event. Technology partners Dyness and Solis also showcased their solar solutions, further strengthening StarTimes’ position as a trusted integrator.
The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where participants sought clarification on installation processes, maintenance, and financing options.
Placing the initiative in a national context, Vice President Kashim Shettima remarked that Nigeria’s energy transition under President Tinubu could unlock over $410 billion by 2060, potentially positioning the country as Africa’s green energy powerhouse. Echoing this vision, Eric Xiao stated that the solar movement goes beyond power generation; it represents an opportunity for prosperity. He emphasized that when MSMEs thrive on clean and affordable energy, the entire economy benefits.
With over 65 participants drawn from MAN, Sterling Bank, Dyness, Solis, and several MSME operators, the Ikeja sensitization event marked another milestone in StarTimes’ ongoing nationwide campaign to empower small businesses through renewable energy. Attendees left with product samples, branded materials, and renewed optimism about solar energy’s role in improving operational efficiency and business competitiveness.
