Solewant Group celebrates a quarter century of innovation

By Matthew Denis and Seun Ibiyemi

As Solewant Group celebrates its 25th anniversary, the company stands tall as a transformative force in Nigeria’s energy sector, charting a story of grit, innovation, and industrial excellence that has redefined pipeline coating, fabrication, and energy services across Africa.

From a modest beginning on 6 June 2000, when founder Mr Solomon Ewanehi established Solewant Nigeria Limited, the company has grown into a multi-faceted conglomerate, rooted in a mission to reshape industrial service delivery in Nigeria and beyond. Ewanehi’s ambition was never simply to start a company—it was to build an institution that could offer world-class solutions in one of the world’s most demanding sectors.

The early 2000s were foundational years. From its inception, Solewant focused on innovation, integrity, and quality. Initially specialising in pipe coating and fabrication, the company laid its groundwork by developing internal policies, operational standards, and strategic partnerships that enabled it to compete in Nigeria’s complex oil and gas environment.

These years also saw the construction of Solewant’s first coating facility and its delivery of critical projects, including the successful coating of an 18” x 127km gas pipeline for East Horizon Gas Company Limited and Nigerian Gas Company Limited. That achievement established Solewant’s reputation for project reliability and engineering precision.

As the company expanded from 2008 to 2011, it launched a modular pipe and bend coating plant in Odukpani, Cross River State. This marked the first of several ambitious infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s local content capacity in energy services.

By the 2010s, Solewant had transitioned from a specialised coating service into a full-fledged industrial group. A strategic metamorphosis saw the incorporation of new subsidiaries—Field Joint Coatings Limited, Solewant Specialty Protective Coatings and Paints Limited, and Pipe and Metals Industries Limited—each dedicated to specific aspects of the energy supply chain.

A landmark moment came in 2016 when Solewant commissioned Africa’s largest pipe coating plant, strategically located in Alode-Eleme-Onne, within Nigeria’s oil and gas corridor. Spread across more than 156,000 square metres, the facility includes advanced equipment sourced from global leaders such as Selmers BV (Netherlands) and KEMA Coatings (Canada), and boasts capabilities ranging from fusion bonded epoxy (FBE), 3-layer polyethylene (3LPE), and 3 to 5-layer polypropylene (3LPP) coatings, to concrete weight coatings and cathodic protection systems.

This investment not only boosted Nigeria’s industrial standing but also generated local employment, transferred critical technical knowledge, and demonstrated that an indigenous firm could deliver to international standards. The facility is certified by Shell, Chevron, and NLNG, and registered with ISO, NIPEX, and the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

By 2020, Solewant had firmly positioned itself as a key player not only in manufacturing and coatings but also in applied technology. The company introduced smart coatings, automated systems, and digital forecasting tools, marking a shift from traditional fabrication to tech-driven solutions. Engineers collaborated with IT specialists to design intelligent systems tailored to both onshore and offshore environments.

One of the company’s most strategic initiatives was the launch of the Solewant Energy Training Institute (SETI) in 2022. SETI represents Solewant’s commitment to human capital development and addresses the skills gap in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The institute offers practical training in pipeline operations, welding, HSE compliance, coatings application, and emerging energy systems, with a curriculum benchmarked against international best practices.

Solewant’s journey has also been shaped by a series of critical partnerships. From its alliance with Seal For Life Canusa CPS, a Henkel Group company and the world’s largest provider of advanced pipeline field coating systems, to collaborations with Shawcor, Raychem RPG, TPCO, Baosteel, and Selmers BV, these relationships have brought cutting-edge technologies to Nigeria’s doorstep.

Through its partnership with Shawcor and its affiliated global brands, including Bredero Shaw and Socotherm, Solewant became Nigeria’s only authorised distributor for Canusa CPS products. KEMA Coatings’ chemical-resistant formulations and Raychem RPG’s cathodic protection systems added further depth to Solewant’s service portfolio.

With this infrastructure and expertise, Solewant has executed over 100 major projects across Nigeria’s toughest terrains. These include Shell’s 3LPE applications and concrete coatings, Chevron’s subsea developments, NLNG’s gas pipeline systems, and the NNPC/AKK 40” x 608km gas pipeline, where Solewant and Henkel Group delivered high-performance heat shrink sleeves.

From coating three-inch pipelines in the Niger Delta to executing transnational 56-inch high-pressure systems, Solewant’s projects are characterised by strict quality control, on-time delivery, and consistent safety compliance. Each contract serves not only commercial objectives but also contributes to national development, workforce empowerment, and infrastructure resilience.

The group’s commitment has not gone unnoticed. It has received numerous accolades, including ‘Best Oil & Gas Contractor of the Year’ (2021 and 2022) from News Direct, and ‘Best Indigenous African Oil and Gas Contractor of the Year’ (2023) from Offshore Africa Oil & Gas Magazine.

In 2024 and 2025, Solewant underscored its leadership at major industry platforms, including the Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC), the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, and the Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (OGOF) hosted at the NCDMB Headquarters in Yenagoa.

At these events, Solewant unveiled its 10-year strategic vision, ‘Roadmap Plus’, focused on sustainable energy technologies, local content development, and global expansion. The group also launched the Solewant Journal of Energy Innovation, a peer-reviewed publication exploring cutting-edge solutions in sustainable energy and industrial transformation.

June 2025 marks several key milestones: Solewant’s 25th Anniversary celebration at its Onne Industrial Complex, the commissioning of a new multi-layer automated pipe bend coating factory, and the 9th edition of the Solewant Energy Summit, themed “Emerging Technologies and the Future of Sustainable Energy in Africa”.

Looking ahead, Solewant remains committed to expanding its international footprint, investing in intelligent coatings and fabrication technologies, and advancing sustainable practices. Its mission is clear: to lead Africa’s industrial future with integrity, innovation, and impact.

What began as one man’s dream has become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial landscape, a company not only building pipelines but laying the groundwork for a more resilient and technologically advanced Africa.