By Abdullahi Lukman
The European Union (EU) and Germany have launched a new initiative to address Nigeria’s electricity access challenges, with a focus on rural areas.
At the launch for the Nigeria Country Window initiative in Lagos, Ms. Inga Stefanowicz, Team Leader for Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, stressed the initiative’s importance.
The initiative, organized by GET.invest Nigeria, aims to accelerate investment in renewable energy solutions and facilitate access to finance for sustainable energy projects across Nigeria.
Ms. Stefanowicz expresses the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s energy transition and sustainable growth, as reliable electricity is essential for economic development.
The initiative is being implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and will collaborate closely with other donor-funded programs in Nigeria, particularly the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP).
Mr. Mamman Mahmuda, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Power, expressed the country’s commitment to a sustainable energy future.
Speaking on his behalf, Mr. Temitope Dina, Assistant Director at the ministry, emphasized the importance of investments, policies, and technologies for creating a cleaner, greener, and more resilient energy system.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, encouraged investors to view the initiative as an opportunity for strategic investment, highlighting the high returns expected.
Germany’s Consul-General in Lagos, Mr. Weert Börner, reiterated Germany’s support for GET.invest Nigeria as part of a broader effort to promote sustainable economic development through private sector investment in renewable energy.
GET.invest Nigeria Coordinator, Mr. Lawrence Efanga Edeke, explained that the initiative aims to scale up investments in renewable energy by collaborating with developers, financiers, and policymakers.
Through this, the initiative will contribute to Nigeria’s energy and climate commitments, ultimately fostering a sustainable and inclusive energy transition.
The initiative is also designed to improve energy security, drive economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for millions of Nigerians.
GET.invest Nigeria is also expected to provide market intelligence, industry mobilization, and capacity-building support to local stakeholders.
GET.invest, with donors including the European Union, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Austria, has established a series of country windows focused on national sustainable energy markets.