The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has stated that the Nigerian government’s $750 million renewable energy programme is expected to act as a catalyst, generating an additional $1.1 billion in private sector investment.
The REA Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, said this initiative is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s strategy to significantly expand electricity access through off-grid solutions.
Aliyu, who spoke at a meeting with a delegation from the National Judicial Institute in Abuja on Thursday, stated that this represents the first time in the nation’s history that such a structured programme is being implemented to tackle electricity access challenges. According to him, it is the largest publicly funded renewable electricity project in the entire world.
“For the first time, we are witnessing the implementation of the biggest publicly funded renewable electricity project in the entire world. It is a $750m project that will catalyse $1.1bn in private sector funding to deploy 1,350 mini-grids across the country,” Aliyu stated.
He said the initiative is aimed at expanding power access through mini-grids, solar infrastructure, and off-grid electrification projects across Nigeria.
He said the scheme would significantly increase electricity access in underserved areas, while also helping Nigeria move to cleaner energy sources.
Highlighting details of the programme, the Rural Electrification Agency boss stated that it would facilitate the rollout of 1,350 mini-grids across the country, which includes 250 interconnected mini-grids designed to supply electricity directly to the national grid.
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Aliyu also shared insights into other renewable energy projects embarked on by the agency, such as the Energising Education Programme, through which it has delivered solar power projects in several federal institutions, including federal universities and teaching hospitals across the country.
The REA boss further stated that the President has approved N100 billion for the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative, which aims to provide solar electricity to government institutions struggling with unreliable grid supply or high energy costs. According to him, installations have already begun at key agencies like the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the National Hospital in Abuja.
Nigeria faces one of the world’s largest electricity access deficits, with over 85 million people lacking reliable power. The government’s focus on off-grid renewable solutions, like solar mini-grids, is a strategic response to this challenge.
The grand goal is to electrify millions of Nigerians, with previous statements from the agency targeting 17.5 million people by 2030 under related electrification projects.
The REA’s $750 million programme is formally known as the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project, which is supported by the World Bank. This funding acts as a capital subsidy to de-risk and incentivize private companies to invest their own capital—the projected $1.1 billion—into building and operating electricity infrastructure.
To further accelerate deployment, the REA recently partnered with Lotus Bank to unlock an additional ₦100 billion in financing for project developers.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in mass communication.
