UNIDO and China Launch Hydropower Project in Nigeria

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the China International Development Cooperation Agency have partnered to expand Nigeria's hydropower capacity by launching small hydropower centers. This initiative, inaugurated in Abuja, aims to tackle Nigeria's electricity deficit and accelerate rural development.

Philbert Johnson, UNIDO's Regional Director, emphasized the importance of energy as a critical driver of economic growth, noting that Nigeria's vast renewable energy potential remains largely underutilized. The project will serve as a hub for knowledge transfer, technical training, and policy guidance, benefiting Nigeria and the broader West African region.

Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, described the project as a significant step toward achieving inclusive energy access and economic resilience. The initiative will promote hybrid energy solutions integrating small hydropower with solar and wind technologies, thereby enhancing energy resilience and supporting agricultural value chains.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Hakeem Fawehinmi, assured stakeholders of the institution's commitment to the project's success.