Power Minister Advocates Renewable Energy for Rural Growth

At a workshop in Abuja on Thursday, October 5, 2023, Nigeria's Power Minister, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, called for stronger policy alignment to drive rural prosperity through renewable energy. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to deploying electricity as a catalyst for economic growth rather than merely expanding power access.

Tegbe stressed that true success in the power sector should be measured by the extent to which electricity enables farmers, processors, and entrepreneurs to enhance productivity. He noted that reliable electricity is crucial for irrigation, value addition, and establishing viable agro-processing businesses.

The workshop, organized by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in collaboration with ECOWAS and ROGEAP, aimed to address challenges such as inadequate cold storage and high operational costs that contribute to post-harvest losses. Tegbe urged policymakers and financial institutions to develop partnerships that would unlock investments and accelerate the deployment of energy-efficient technologies nationwide.

The event also featured remarks from Dr. Omar Alieu Tourai and Mr. El Hadji Sylla, who emphasized the importance of sustainable energy access for economic development in West Africa.