Somotex Nigeria Limited, in collaboration with the Federal Government, has commissioned a new production line for environmentally friendly air conditioners at its factory located at 1, Olorunfunmi Street, off Kudirat Abiola Way, Ojota, Lagos.

 The new line, designed to manufacture air conditioners using R-32 refrigerant, is aimed at supporting Nigeria’s national climate and energy efficiency goals.

 The refrigerant is a next-generation alternative that is both ozone- and climate-friendly, aligning with the country’s obligations under international environmental protocols.

The commissioning ceremony, which was held recently in Lagos, drew high-level participants, including the representative of the Minister of Environment, Idris Abdullahi; officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment; representatives of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation; the representative of the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Adeoye Babajide; other industry stakeholders; and senior executives of Somotex.

 Speaking at the event, the representative of the Minister of Environment, Idris Abdullahi, said Nigeria remains committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Montreal Protocol, a global treaty to phase out ozone-depleting substances.

 “As you already know, Nigeria has been a party to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer since 1988, when the country signed the treaty. The Protocol stands as a beacon of global environmental cooperation, aimed at protecting the ozone layer by phasing out ozone-depleting substances,” he said.

 He explained that the ministry, as the designated national authority for implementing the protocol, had overseen reductions in the consumption of ODS across sectors such as refrigeration, air conditioning and foam production.

“Consequently, my ministry has achieved the set targets for Nigeria under the protocol by phasing out chlorofluorocarbons, carbon tetrachloride, and some other ozone-depleting substances in 2010 and further achieved the 10 per cent, 35 per cent, and 51.35 per cent reduction in HCFC consumption in 2015, 2020 and 2023, respectively,” Abdullahi stated.

 The project, described as a key outcome of collaboration between Somotex, the Federal Ministry of Environment and UNIDO, is expected to generate employment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and make environmentally responsible cooling solutions more accessible to Nigerian consumers.

Industrial Development Officer at UNIDO, Yunrui Zhou, said the project marked a major achievement under Nigeria’s Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Phase-out Management Plan Stage III, which is being implemented with UNIDO’s support.

 “This project represents a significant milestone under Nigeria’s HPMP Stage III. Through this initiative, Somotex has successfully converted its production line from HCFC-22 to R-32, effectively eliminating over 51 metric tonnes of HCFC-22 annually from its manufacturing processes,” Zhou said.

“This is a vital step toward meeting Nigeria’s commitment under the Montreal Protocol to reduce HCFC consumption by 67.5 per cent by 2025. Beyond the environmental benefits, this conversion also improves energy efficiency and safety standards. The R-32 air conditioner line is a model of how industry and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.”

 Managing Director of Somotex Nigeria Limited, Mr Anil Mohinani, described the initiative as part of the broader sustainability vision of the Mohinani Group, the parent company of Somotex.

“This commissioning is part of Mohinani Group’s broader vision to become a leader in sustainability. From this climate-friendly air conditioner line to our ongoing R-PET recycling initiative, we are committed to driving environmental progress through industrial innovation and long-term investment,” Mohinani said.

 According to the company, the investment reflects a growing shift towards clean cooling technologies in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, in response to both global climate imperatives and local market demands.

Somotex Nigeria is a major distributor of consumer electronics and home appliances in the country and is part of the Mohinani Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests across manufacturing, packaging, and distribution in West Africa.