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Sterling Bank, StarTimes target N2bn solar financing – EnviroNews
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Sterling Bank and StarTimes Nigeria have launched Sterling Solar Financing Hubs at StarTimes retail outlets to expand access to solar energy and accelerate Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
The bank disclosed this in a statement made available on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Lagos.
It said the initiative would provide on-the-spot financing for solar solutions at StarTimes retail outlets, with both organisations targeting N2 billion in renewable energy financing by the end of 2026.
According to the statement, the partnership has already facilitated more than N600 million in solar financing transactions over the past year.
It said the new target represented more than a threefold expansion and was expected to enable thousands of households and small businesses to adopt reliable and affordable solar energy.
The statement added that customers could visit any participating StarTimes retail outlet to select solar solutions, receive financial guidance from Sterling Solar Financing Advisors and begin the financing process, subject to the bank’s credit assessment.
It quoted Mr. Darlington Nwankwo, Divisional Head, Renewable Energy and Mobility at Sterling Bank, as saying that the partnership would make clean energy more accessible to Nigerians.
“Sterling exists to enrich lives, and we believe that access to clean, reliable energy should be within everyone’s reach.
“Through this partnership with StarTimes, we are democratising access to solar by bringing financing directly to the point of need, enabling more families and businesses to transition to sustainable energy without the burden of prohibitive upfront costs.
“This is about unlocking opportunities, improving livelihoods and powering Nigeria’s future,” he said.
Nwankwo said the first phase of the rollout would begin in July with five Solar Financing Hubs located in Lekki, Ikeja, Festac, Surulere and Victoria Island in Lagos.
He said the initiative would expand to 46 StarTimes outlets nationwide before the end of the third quarter of 2026, with plans to extend it to more than 200 locations across the country.
Also speaking, the Vice President of StarTimes Nigeria, Mr. Eric Xiao, said the initiative would help build a sustainable energy ecosystem.
“With the rollout of the Sterling Solar Financing Hubs, we are doing more than just selling solar products; we are building a sustainable energy ecosystem.
“By integrating StarTimes’ extensive service network with Sterling Bank’s professional financial services, we are significantly lowering the barrier for Nigerian households and small businesses to access clean energy.
“Moving forward, we will continue to deepen this partnership, ensuring that more Nigerians can enjoy reliable, affordable and smart energy solutions,” Xiao said.
He said the partnership reflected both organisations’ commitment to improving access to clean energy and supporting Nigeria’s sustainable development goals.
By Mercy Omoike
