President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has announced a significant commitment to expanding electricity access across the nation, particularly in remote and underserved communities. Leveraging over $3.25 billion in foreign investment from key development partners like the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank, Nigeria aims to connect 23.7 million people to the power grid, driving economic growth and improving the quality of life for millions. This ambitious undertaking underscores Nigeria’s dedication to achieving energy equity and aligns with the broader continental goal of electrifying 300 million people in Africa by 2030.
The substantial investments secured by Nigeria will fund a multifaceted approach to electricity provision. The AfDB’s commitment of $1.1 billion is projected to electrify 5 million people by 2026, contributing significantly to the overall target. Furthermore, the AfDB’s $200 million Nigeria Electrification Project will bring power to an additional 500,000 people by 2025. These projects, focusing on grid expansion and strengthening, represent a crucial step towards closing the energy access gap in Nigeria.
Beyond these initiatives, Nigeria is also leveraging AfDB support for the ambitious Desert to Power program, with a planned $700 million investment aimed at harnessing solar energy in the northern regions of the country. An additional $500 million has been earmarked for the Nigeria-Grid Battery Energy Storage System, which is expected to provide electricity to another 2 million people. These innovative projects demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to exploring diverse energy sources and adopting cutting-edge technologies to ensure reliable and sustainable power supply.
Complementing the AfDB’s contribution, the World Bank is providing $750 million to support the expansion of distributed energy access in Nigeria. This initiative focuses on deploying mini-grids and standalone solar systems, specifically targeting underserved communities and providing access to power for 16.2 million people. This decentralized approach is particularly effective in reaching remote areas where extending the national grid is challenging and costly, ensuring that no community is left behind in the pursuit of universal electricity access.
President Tinubu, speaking at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving Africa’s electrification goals. He called upon African leaders to prioritize energy access and work together to create a brighter future for their citizens, one where reliable and affordable energy fuels economic growth and prosperity. This call for collective action underscores the understanding that access to electricity is not merely a developmental goal but a fundamental prerequisite for social and economic progress across the continent.
President Tinubu’s address, delivered by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to its entire population by 2030. This commitment aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and reflects a deep understanding of the transformative power of energy access. The combined investments from the AfDB and the World Bank, coupled with Nigeria’s strategic vision, position the nation as a leader in the pursuit of universal electricity access in Africa, laying the foundation for a more prosperous and equitable future.
