REA to Invest N100bn in Hybrid Mini-Grids for 2026

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) of Nigeria will allocate N100 billion in 2026 for the deployment of hybrid mini-grid systems for government agencies, as disclosed by Managing Director Abba Aliyu during a budget defense session on February 3, 2023. This funding is part of a larger N170 billion budget proposal aimed at enhancing electricity reliability for public institutions and reducing operational costs.

The hybrid mini-grid systems will combine solar power with complementary energy sources to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, with examples including national hospitals in Abuja. The 2026 budget also includes 500 electrification projects nationwide, targeting areas near existing grids and deploying solar home systems in sparsely populated regions.

Earlier in February 2026, the REA signed a memorandum of understanding with ECOWAS to implement solar power systems across 15 public institutions in Nigeria, supported by the World Bank's Regional Off-Grid Electrification Access Project (ROGEAP). This initiative aims to expand off-grid electricity access across West Africa.