By Abdullahi Lukman
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has signed grant agreements with nine renewable energy companies to provide electricity access to 17.5 million Nigerians.
The signing, which took place on Monday, April 28, 2025, is part of the World Bank-funded Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) project, launched in 2024 to accelerate off-grid electrification in the country.
The companies involved in the agreement include Privida Power Limited, Baobab Plus, Salpha Energy, Asolar, NTA-StarTimes, A4&T Power Solutions, Sunking Greenlight Planet, Bboxx, and D.Light.
The project is to deploy 1,350 mini-grids and solar home systems, targeting underserved communities in Bands D and E, where reliable electricity is limited or unavailable.
Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of REA, said that the project is expected to help Nigeria meet its goal of universal electricity access.
He also noted the project’s alignment with the global Mission 300 initiative, which aims to provide energy to 300 million people across Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. “This project is a significant step toward addressing Nigeria’s energy gap,” Aliyu said.
The project is expected to create 340,000 new connections and add 47 megawatts of clean, renewable energy to the national grid. Privida Power Limited will lead efforts in deploying solar mini-grids in 11 communities in Kogi state, generating over 2.5 megawatts and providing 11,000 new connections.
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In addition, the other companies will install 1.6 million solar home systems in rural areas, expanding access to energy for households and small businesses.
Aliyu also discussed the broader impact of the project, saying, “The issue of 18 million Nigerians without access to electricity will soon be a thing of the past,” as he highlighted the role of projects like DARES in addressing the country’s power challenges.
Mr. Olufemi Akinyelure, Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP), stressed the transformative potential of the DARES initiative.
“Each new connection under DARES means better access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities,” Akinyelure said. “This project is a step toward a Nigeria where no one is left behind.”
Privida Power Limited will deploy solar mini-grids under the Performance-Based Grant sub-component of the project, while the other companies will focus on delivering solar home systems to remote communities.
These renewable energy solutions are designed to unlock the social and economic potential of off-grid communities and improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians.
William Akalume, CEO of Privida Power Limited, expressed his company’s commitment to the success of the project, saying, “We are fully committed to ensuring the success of this project and appreciate REA’s efforts in transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape.”
The DARES project, alongside other REA initiatives, is expected to make significant strides in expanding electricity access across Nigeria, helping to improve the lives of millions of Nigerians in the process.
