Nigeria Launches $750M Renewable Energy Program

The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated a $750 million renewable energy program, described as the world's largest publicly funded renewable electricity initiative, aimed at enhancing power access through mini-grid solar infrastructure across the country. Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during a meeting with the National Judicial Institute.

The program is expected to catalyze an additional $1.1 billion in private sector investment and facilitate the deployment of 1,350 mini-grids, including 250 interconnected mini-grids that will supply electricity directly to the national grid. This initiative marks a significant structural approach by the current administration to address Nigeria's electricity access challenges.

The REA is also executing several large-scale solar projects to provide dedicated power supply to federal universities and hospitals. The program is part of a broader strategy to transition Nigeria to cleaner energy sources and improve electricity supply to underserved communities.