The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in Nigeria has signed performance-based grant agreements with eight renewable energy companies under the World Bank-supported Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) initiative with an aim of expanding electricity access across the country particularly in unserved and underserved rural areas.
Speaking at the inaugural grant signing ceremony held in Abuja, REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu announced that the DARES project is expected to bring clean, reliable electricity to more than 17.5 million Nigerians through a combination of isolated mini-grid systems and standalone solar home solutions.
Under the mini-grid component, Privida Power Limited secured funding to install 2.47MW of solar capacity across 11 communities in Kogi State, which will result in over 11,000 new electricity connections. The mini-grid systems will serve remote areas such as Abocho Ojogba, Emewe Efopa, and Icheu, with capacities ranging between 61 kilowatts (kW) and 704 kW.
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Off-grid energy market
Additional grant recipients including Baobab Plus, Salpha Energy, Asolar, NTA-StarTimes, A4&T, Sunking (Greenlight Planet), Bboxx, and D.Light—will deliver 1.6 million solar home systems (SHS) nationwide, targeting households and small businesses that lack access to conventional power sources.
According to the REA, the DARES initiative is structured to stimulate Nigeria’s off-grid energy market by supporting 1,350 mini-grid projects and the deployment of millions of standalone solar units. The combined capacity from these interventions is expected to add 47 MW of renewable power and result in over 340,000 new electricity connections.
Mr. Aliyu emphasized that the project is being implemented under the framework of the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to reduce energy poverty and catalyze economic development through inclusive infrastructure investments.
“We are not just delivering electricity, but we are transforming lives,” Aliyu said. “By enhancing power reliability and accessibility in rural communities, we are fostering economic activity, improving health services, and enabling education.”
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Femi Akinyelure, Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP), noted that stakeholder engagement and streamlined internal processes have been critical to shaping the DARES project for impact. He revealed that procurement for interconnected mini-grids is underway and that further rollout of solar-powered productive-use equipment is planned.
Privida Power CEO, Mr. William Akalumhe, described the signing as a landmark development. “This initiative is more than power access it’s a pathway to economic inclusion. Through innovative pay-as-you-go models, we’re making energy affordable and sustainable for the communities that need it most.”
The DARES project also aligns with Mission 300, a continent-wide ambition to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030. With Nigeria contributing a significant portion of this target, the REA’s latest efforts demonstrate the country’s commitment to inclusive, low-carbon development.
