REA deploys 124 mini-grids, secures N5.8bn private investment through electrification fund
By Matthew Denis
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has announced the deployment of 124 mini-grids and the attraction of N5.8 billion in private sector investment through its Rural Electrification Fund (REF) grant programme.
This milestone was shared by the agency’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abba Aliyu, during the REF Call 3 Grant Agreement Signing Ceremony and Access to Finance Workshop held on Tuesday in Abuja.
Aliyu detailed the programme’s accomplishments, which include the installation of over 25,580 Solar Home Systems (SHS) and support for 18,013 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across 183 communities in Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, these interventions have collectively generated 16.6 megawatts of renewable energy capacity, created more than 26,000 jobs, and averted 91,720 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
“Today, we mark a new chapter in our journey, with a renewed commitment to transforming lives through sustainable and inclusive energy access,” Aliyu said during the ceremony.
He acknowledged that the REF’s progress had been reinforced by key initiatives such as the Interconnected Mini-grid Acceleration Scheme (IMAS), the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP), and the De-risking Sustainable Off-Grid Lighting Solutions (DSOLS) project.
With the launch of REF Call 3, the agency intends to expand access to electricity in underserved communities, promote productive uses of energy, and bolster women-led enterprises and agricultural value chains.
Aliyu encouraged developers to observe strict adherence to technical requirements and timelines, cautioning that delays which had affected earlier phases of the programme would no longer be excused.
“This next phase is not just about scaling capacity; it is about scaling impact. Excellence and consistency will determine who remains involved in the programme going forward,” he said.
The workshop also brought together stakeholders to discuss sustainable financing models essential for widening energy access across the country.
Aliyu reaffirmed the REF’s alignment with the federal government’s Mission 300 initiative, which aims to deliver reliable electricity to 300 million people by the year 2030.
He expressed gratitude to development partners, international donors, financiers, and civil society organisations for their ongoing support. He also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership in making rural electrification a national development priority.
The event concluded with the signing of new grant agreements and a stakeholder engagement session focused on advancing equitable access to electricity throughout Nigeria.
