The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Nigerian government have launched the
National Electrification Project (NEP).
The project — which will be implemented by Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency —will
tackle Nigeria’s critical energy access shortfalls by directing private sector investments into
mini-grid and off-grid solutions to achieve universal energy access by 2030.
“Imagine the impact a project like the NEP will have when it is replicated across rural
communities in the country,” said Nigeria’s Minister of State for Power, H.E. Goddy Jedy
Agba.
The Bank and Africa Growing Together Fund’s (AGTF) joint funding of $200 million will de-
risk and scale up private sector participation in the off-grid market, fostering a business
environment conducive to the accelerated electrification of off-grid communities in Nigeria.
“Over 500,000 people will have access to approximately 76.5MW of increased installed
power of which 68MW will be solar generated,” said AfDB’s Acting Vice President for Power,
Energy, Climate Change and Green Growth, Wale Shonibare.
He added that eight universities will have access to affordable electricity and 150 female
students will undergo training on renewable energy solutions. Additionally, devices and
machinery will be distributed to 20,000 small and medium-sized businesses.
