REA and ECOWAS Partner to Electrify 15 Institutions

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to electrify 15 public institutions in Nigeria, specifically targeting health and educational facilities. The agreement, signed on a date not specified, includes a grant of $700,000 from ECOWAS to support the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in rural health centers and schools located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger State, and Nasarawa State.

Following the MoU, REA also entered a separate agreement with the Niger State government to facilitate state-level collaboration and co-finance selected project sites. Dr. Abba Aliyu, the Managing Director of REA, emphasized the importance of this partnership in enhancing reliable electricity access to critical public institutions, which will improve healthcare delivery and learning conditions.

The project is part of a broader initiative supported by the World Bank to expand off-grid electricity access across West Africa, with the pilot phase marking a significant step in Nigeria's commitment to sustainable energy solutions.