By Ijeoma Agbafo
The Federal Government, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), on Friday inaugurated the Africa Minigrids Programme (AMP) to expand electricity access in underserved rural communities across Nigeria.
The Minister of Power, Mr Joseph Tegbe, said at the inauguration in Abuja that the programme would support Nigeria’s drive towards universal energy access, boost agricultural productivity, create jobs and improve livelihoods through clean, reliable and affordable electricity.
Tegbe said the first phase, comprising 23 solar-powered mini-grids, would provide electricity to about 50,000 people, serve 20,000 households and support thousands of businesses, adding that additional phases were already being planned.
According to the minister, the programme is a Global Environment Facility-financed initiative supported by UNDP and implemented by REA to accelerate the country’s transition to renewable energy while stimulating rural economic development.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Fall, said access to sustainable energy remained critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, while UNDP Regional Director for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa, described the initiative as an opportunity for Africa to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy.
Managing Director of REA, Abba Aliyu, said the programme would deploy standardised solar-powered mini-grids to productive agricultural clusters across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, leveraging public funding to attract private sector investment.
