Kano Communities Gain Electricity After 16 Years of Outage

Two rural communities in Kano State, Ballagaza in Gabasawa Local Government Area and Marayar Rogo in Warawa Local Government Area, have received electricity for the first time in over 16 years following the commissioning of solar mini-grids by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). The Ballagaza mini-grid has a capacity of 195kWp, while the Marayar Rogo facility has 70kWp, together expected to supply power to 2,222 households.

Abba Aliyu, the managing director of the REA, stated that the projects align with the federal government’s goal of providing electricity to over 17 million Nigerians under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The mini-grids were built by Alfuttaim Nigeria Limited, which invested its own funds and will operate the facilities, while the government subsidized part of the cost through the DARES programme, supported by the World Bank.

The initiative aims to expand electricity access through private-sector-led solar mini-grids. The Ballagaza community, known for agricultural production, will benefit from improved processing capabilities and electricity for its primary healthcare centre.