Over 100 mini-electricity grids are currently in operation across the country, making Nigeria one of the largest mini-grid markets in Africa, the Federal Government revealed on Tuesday.
It disclosed this through the Rural Electrification Agency, a Federal Government organisation, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the REA and the Africa Mini-Grid Developers Association in Abuja.
Partners in the deal signed the MoU to further promote and accelerate mini-grid development in Nigeria, with focus on knowledge sharing, capacity building, better coordination of the sector, among other initiatives.
“Nigeria has one of the largest mini-grid markets in Africa, with over 100 mini-grids currently in operation primarily through the implementation of data-driven programmes and initiatives of the Rural Electrification Agency,” the Managing Director, REA, Ahmad Salihijo, stated.
He, however, stated that due to the energy access gap across the country, there was still a significant need for more decentralised energy interventions to bridge the energy deficit and catalyse socio-economic growth, particularly in rural underserved communities.
Salihijo said the REA had over the years expanded its partnership portfolio, while collaborating with stakeholders across the off-grid energy value chain.
He noted that with the pivotal role and sustained impact of AMDA in Africa’s renewable energy space, the REA and AMDA partnership was a significant step forward for the mini-grid sector in Nigeria.
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