Nigeria's mini‑grid push attracts private capital as UN backs new programme

Dr Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, said mini‑grids have shifted from rural electrification projects to a commercially viable model that can de‑risk the power sector and draw massive private investment. He highlighted that the grids are built on verified demand, use digital revenue collection, minimise losses and give investors greater cash‑flow certainty. Under his leadership REA has deployed nearly 200 isolated mini‑grids, connected over 164,000 users and linked about 1.4 million households and businesses to stand‑alone solar systems, securing more than $1.2 billion in private‑sector financing. The agency is now expanding into urban and peri‑urban areas through partnerships with distribution companies to create 48 interconnected mini‑grids that will inject roughly 288 MW of clean generation and battery storage into existing networks.

The government, together with the United Nations Development Programme and the Global Environment Facility, launched the Africa Minigrids Programme (AMP) in Abuja. The first phase includes 23 solar‑powered mini‑grids expected to serve 50,000 people and 20,000 households across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, supporting agriculture, jobs and local enterprises. Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe said universal energy access is key to Nigeria’s economic transformation, while UN officials stressed the programme’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals and the country’s potential to lead Africa’s clean‑energy transition.