Abuja, Nigeria – In a bid to advance Nigeria’s clean energy ecosystem and drive socio-economic development through clean energy infrastructure for agriculture, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the national implementing partner of the Africa Minigrids Program (AMP), is accelerating the deployment of 23 additional minigrids across six geo-political zones in Nigeria. These minigrids, with capacities ranging from 30Kwp to 200Kwp, are part of a broader effort to strengthen energy access for smallholder farmers.
The sites for the minigrids are among 120 locations identified through the Energizing Agriculture Programme (EAP), an initiative spearheaded by RMI, reflecting a range of agricultural activities across the country.
The AMP-funded minigrids will be implemented over 48 months to expand access to energy-efficient, sustainable infrastructure and enhance the financial viability of mini-grid projects to attract larger commercial investments.
On Friday, the 31st of January 2025, the REA hosted an AMP Grant Award Ceremony, signalling the kickoff. The $5.91 million intervention is expected to:
- Impact over 70,000 Nigerians
- Enable more than 600 productive-use connections (e.g., agro-processing, irrigation, and refrigeration)
- Create 375 social connections (powering schools, clinics, and community centers)
- Support 18 renewable energy developers
The AMP model fosters collaboration between public and private stakeholders, ensuring a sustainable, scalable approach to energy access in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. This initiative also supports Nigeria’s broader energy transition goals, setting a replicable model for clean energy deployment across sub-Saharan Africa.
Alignment with Mission 300
This approach also aligns with Mission 300, a World Bank-led initiative in partnership with the African Development Bank and other global organizations, aiming to connect 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030. A key component of this mission is mobilizing public and private financing for energy access. Nigeria has already benefited from Mission 300, securing $70 million from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) following the recent Summit to fund other minigrid projects.
Speaking at the event, AMP Nigeria Program Manager Dr Bala Tyoden urged renewable energy developers and grantees to “uphold the culture of compliance and adherence to standards and specifications as well as transparency in line with the REA’s mandate”. Dr Tyoden stressed the commitment to delivering efficient and sustainable infrastructure. He also encouraged developers to prioritize gender inclusion within their workforce to enhance women’s participation in the energy sector.
In addition to advancing gender equality, the success of AMP Nigeria will transform and empower communities by stimulating local economies and boosting livelihoods, powering the social development sector (including education and healthcare), and improving environmental sustainability.
Read the full story and original post here: https://rea.gov.ng/rea-gef-undp-advance-implementation-africa-mini-grid-program-sign-grant-agreements-deliver-23-mini-grids-across-nigeria/
Pictured below are schools, shops, clinics, businesses, and homes in communities that will benefit from the minigrids, gaining access to clean energy. These include locations in Kaduna State, Iyionu Igbo Eze North in Enugu, and Kano State.
