Nigeria's Rural Electrification Agency launches AI partnership and utility‑scale renewable firms

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) renewed a one‑year partnership with German artificial‑intelligence and data‑analytics company VIDA place GmbH. The agreement was signed in Abuja during German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul’s visit. REA Managing Director Dr Abba Aliyu said the AI‑powered platform maps communities, providing household, socio‑economic and electrification data to guide the $750 million World Bank‑funded programme that aims to connect 17.5 million Nigerians.

In a related announcement, REA disclosed plans to create Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs) that will compete directly with traditional electricity distribution companies over the next 10‑15 years. The RESCO model will focus on interconnected, utility‑scale mini‑grids powered by solar energy and battery storage, offering round‑the‑clock clean power and reducing reliance on conventional thermal generation.