By Abbas Nazil
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding electricity access, particularly in rural areas, through enhanced collaboration with Egypt.
The reaffirmation was made by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, during a meeting with the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Fouad, in Abuja.
The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in renewable energy and rural electrification.
Adelabu highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to connect remote communities to electricity through renewable energy initiatives.
He noted the economic challenges associated with extending the national grid to such areas but emphasized that the government is determined to bridge the gap through alternative energy sources.
He cited significant investments secured to support the initiative, including $750 million from the World Bank’s Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project and an additional $190 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The minister pointed to Nigeria’s abundant renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, and hydroelectric potential, as key assets for achieving sustainable energy access.
He commended Egypt’s advancements in the energy sector, describing the country as a model in energy infrastructure development.
He expressed Nigeria’s eagerness to learn from Egypt’s experiences in power generation, transmission, and distribution. Adelabu also referenced Nigeria’s engagements with Siemens, inspired by Egypt’s successful energy transformation, as part of efforts to stabilize Nigeria’s power sector.
Since assuming office 17 months ago, Adelabu said his administration has worked to expand electricity access and address critical challenges in the sector.
He acknowledged existing issues such as grid reliability, aging infrastructure, and metering deficits, stating that the government is tackling these concerns through initiatives like the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI).
Ambassador Fouad welcomed Nigeria’s efforts in the energy sector and expressed Egypt’s commitment to collaborating with Nigeria, particularly in closing the metering gap and improving energy access.
He emphasized the shared goals of both countries and the potential benefits of strengthening bilateral ties.
Fouad noted that Egypt currently derives 14% of its electricity from renewable sources and aims to increase this figure to 42% by 2035.
He highlighted similarities between Nigeria and Egypt, particularly in their reliance on fossil fuels, and underscored the need for cooperation in harnessing renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
The Egyptian envoy also recalled a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both countries on power projects, suggesting that it should be reactivated through virtual meetings and technical exchanges.
He invited Adelabu to visit Egypt to further discussions and deepen cooperation in the energy sector.
The meeting underscored the strengthening partnership between Nigeria and Egypt in advancing renewable energy and rural electrification, with both nations poised to leverage their shared resources and expertise for mutual development.