Sterling Bank and StarTimes Nigeria have deepened their partnership to expand access to clean energy financing, unveiling a network of Sterling Solar Financing Hubs within StarTimes retail outlets as they target N2 billion in renewable energy financing by the end of 2026.
The initiative, which integrates financing services directly at the point of sale, is designed to lower the cost barrier preventing households and small businesses from adopting solar energy amid persistent electricity supply challenges and rising energy costs.
The partners said the programme builds on an existing collaboration that has already facilitated more than N600 million in solar financing transactions over the past year. The new target represents more than a threefold expansion of the scheme and is expected to enable thousands of Nigerians to switch to cleaner and more reliable energy sources.
Under the model, customers visiting participating StarTimes outlets can select solar products, receive financing guidance from dedicated Sterling Solar Financing Advisors, and begin the loan application process immediately, subject to the bank’s credit assessment.
The first phase of the rollout begins this month with five financing hubs across Lagos in Lekki, Ikeja, Festac, Surulere and Victoria Island. The partners plan to expand the network to 46 StarTimes outlets nationwide by the third quarter of 2026, with longer-term plans to scale the initiative to more than 200 retail locations across the country.
The expansion comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to improve electricity access while advancing its energy transition agenda. Businesses and households have increasingly turned to solar power as a viable alternative to unreliable grid supply and rising diesel and petrol costs.
Speaking on the initiative, Darlington Nwankwo, divisional head, renewable energy and mobility at Sterling Bank, said the partnership reflects the bank’s commitment to making clean energy more accessible.
“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,” Nwankwo said.
He added that the initiative is aimed at expanding economic opportunities, improving livelihoods and supporting Nigeria’s long-term energy transition.
For StarTimes, the collaboration represents an evolution from product distribution to building an integrated clean energy ecosystem.
Eric Xiao, vice president of StarTimes Nigeria, said combining the company’s nationwide retail footprint with Sterling Bank’s financing capabilities would make solar energy more affordable for consumers.
“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,” Xiao said.
“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.”
He said both organisations would continue to deepen the partnership to extend affordable and reliable solar solutions to more Nigerians.
