Turning the Wheel of Progress: Energy-Efficient Motor Systems Power Jobs, Economic Development, and Climate Progress in Nigeria

Energy-efficient motor systems could play a key role in driving economic growth and climate progress in Nigeria–a country that strives to reach net zero by 2060 and lift 100 million of its citizens out of poverty. While motor systems pose a significant challenge, through strategic partnerships and committed action, they also offer a significant opportunity for profound change for millions.

Motor systems are essential to most automated processes and are key to the world’s manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and industrial sectors. However, motor systems have a significant emissions impact: today, they account for 27% of global industrial electricity demand. Much of this demand is linked to the fact that low-efficiency, outdated motor systems represent two-thirds of the global motor stock.

In Nigeria, the industrial sector accounts for approximately 22% of electricity consumption. Motors were estimated to consume 83 TWh in 2025—equivalent to annual energy consumption in Belgium.

Energy-efficient motor systems could deliver significant economic development without losing sight of the country’s climate goals, reaching net zero by 2060, and lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

Energy-efficient motor systems can lower national electricity demand and reduce the need for costly generation, transmission, and distribution investments. When governments and utilities are able to avoid these expenses, that capital becomes available for industry, education, healthcare, and infrastructure, which ultimately helps to drive GDP growth. At a local level, efficient motors can also reduce operational costs for small businesses and smallholder farms. Lower costs translate to improved profitability and could enable job creation in these local settings.

CLASP is currently supporting the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to develop energy-efficiency standards for industrial motor systems. Setting up efficiency policy for motor systems in Nigeria could have significant benefits, including reducing energy use by 300 TWh from 2025 through 2050, avoiding 130 Mt of CO2—the equivalent of Nigeria’s annual CO2 emissions—and saving $3 billion USD through 2050.

John Bature of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria reflected on the partnership, stating:

The ongoing CLASP-supported project has reignited the drive to achieve industrial energy efficiency in Nigeria. The initiative [to develop standards] addresses the identified energy waste arising from the use of obsolete motors across the Nigerian industrial sector. The project will undoubtedly deliver significant climate and economic benefits for Nigeria.

CLASP and SON are also collaborating with the Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADEV) Nigeria and Eng. Achema, two local Nigerian partners who are supporting data collection and analysis, stakeholder engagement, and technical guidance. Jeremiah Ato from SRADEV underscores the importance of this collaboration: “A robust market assessment is foundational to developing efficiency policies for industrial motors in Nigeria.”

Tom Ramsson, CLASP’s technical advisor on motors and industrial products, and Angellah Wekongo, manager, co-led the project with partners at SRADEV and SON. Wekongo views the collaboration as a significant step towards a greener future: “CLASP is supporting the Standards Organization of Nigeria on the first step in their journey to unlock motor system efficiency. We look forward to continuing our collaboration on motor-driven applications like pumps, fans, and air compressors to help Nigerian industry prepare for a low-carbon future.”

Energy-efficient motor systems offer a massive untapped opportunity for people and the planet. Efficient motor systems can deliver significant energy savings and reduce strain on the grid, redirecting electricity and investment to other sectors. Alongside powering economic growth, efficient motors also have major environmental benefits.