Author: Chinenye

The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, has said Nigeria’s renewable energy sector is not delivering enough jobs despite attracting more than $2 billion in clean energy investment to date. Speaking at the 2026 Oriental News Conference in Lagos on Saturday, Aliyu, who was represented by Gboyega Ayoade, Executive Director of Corporate Services, disclosed that the sector has created only about 70,000 jobs. He described the figure as far below the employment potential of the industry, especially when compared to global trends. According to him, the worldwide solar industry currently supports an estimated 16.2 million jobs, underscoring the wide gap between Nigeria’s investment inflows and employment outcomes. Aliyu warned that Nigeria cannot sustain its energy transition if it continues to rely heavily on imported technologies and foreign expertise. He said the disparity between investment and jobs points to the urgent need for a deliberate shift toward local capacity development across the entire renewable energy value chain. The REA chief argued that energy policy must also function as industrial policy. He said every major renewable energy programme should be assessed not only by the amount of electricity it supplies, but also by the domestic capacity, skills and industries it helps to build. “As renewable energy deployment grows, we must also grow local capacity for assembly, manufacturing, installation, operation, maintenance, recycling and skills development,” he said. “This is where the Nigeria First policy becomes important. Clean energy must become a platform for local content, job creation and industrial value capture.” He urged policymakers and investors to ask critical questions before approving projects: whether they create jobs for Nigerian engineers and technicians, whether they use local installers, whether they generate demand for local assembly, whether they support Nigerian firms, whether they strengthen the supply chain, and whether they improve skills and technology transfer. “This is how clean energy becomes an industrial policy tool,” he added. Aliyu said the REA is repositioning its programmes to support local manufacturing and skills development by ensuring large-scale deployment that creates predictable demand for manufacturers. He listed the Nigeria Electrification Project, the Renewable Energy Scale-Up Programme, the Energizing Education Programme, and the National Public Sector Solarization Initiative as efforts already helping to build a more structured renewable energy market through private sector-led models. On financing, Aliyu said the biggest constraint to renewable energy investment in Nigeria is not resource potential but project bankability. He explained that many projects fail to attract funding because of weak feasibility studies, poor demand assessments, inadequate payment structures, and insufficient risk mitigation. “The core constraint is not potential but bankability,” he said. To address this, the agency is working with development partners, financial institutions and private developers to improve project preparation. He said this includes the use of performance-based grants, blended finance, public-private partnerships and green finance platforms. Speaking on decarbonisation, Aliyu said Nigeria’s energy transition must go beyond emissions reduction to also drive industrialisation, economic growth and expanded energy access. “The challenge before us is not simply to reduce emissions. The real challenge is to expand energy access, grow the economy, industrialise, and reduce emissions at the same time,” he said. He concluded that for clean energy to fulfill its promise in Nigeria, it must be deliberately structured to create jobs, retain value locally, and build a stronger domestic industry.

Nigeria has attracted $155 million in new clean energy commitments as the Rural Electrification Agency ramps up efforts to establish the country as Africa’s leading hub for renewable energy and a model for knowledge exchange across the continent. The Managing Director of the REA, Abba Aliyu, announced the milestone on Friday, saying the deals reflect rising global confidence in Nigeria’s off-grid power sector. According to Aliyu, the country secured an $80 million debt facility targeted at scaling up solar home systems and power solutions for small businesses. In a separate agreement, UK-based clean energy firm MOPO signed a $75 million deal with the REA to roll out a smart battery programme nationwide. Aliyu credited the inflows to recent reforms in the electricity sector, which he said have made Nigeria more appealing to international investors focused on decentralized energy. Citing the newly released Sub-Saharan Africa Clean Energy Market Outlook 2026 by BloombergNEF, he said Nigeria is now described as the largest and fastest-growing market in the region for distributed solar and small-scale renewables. The report, he noted, highlights the $80 million debt package as evidence of that momentum. He also pointed to growing interest from other global operators. WeLight, which currently runs close to 190 mini-grids in Madagascar and Mali and serves more than 800,000 people, has indicated plans to enter the Nigerian market. “These significant capital commitments show that international financiers and developers no longer see Nigeria as high risk,” Aliyu said. “They now view it as the most bankable and scalable off-grid energy market in Africa.” Beyond investment, Aliyu said Nigeria is beginning to play a leadership role in cross-border collaboration on rural electrification. The REA has received delegations from Mozambique and the Zanzibar Utilities Regulatory Authority, and is expecting a team from Sierra Leone next week. He described the engagement with ZURA as a sign of how far the agency has come, noting that discussions covered both achievements and challenges, including financing strategies, grid stability, operations, and lessons learned in scaling off-grid systems. “Africa will reach universal energy access much faster through bold collaboration than by countries working in isolation,” he said. “When one nation succeeds, the whole continent moves forward.” Aliyu said the Sierra Leone visit is part of a growing pipeline of exchange missions, and described the current period as a turning point for shared progress on energy access in Africa.

The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria is pushing industry players and government to shift from dialogue to delivery, saying decisive steps are needed now to attract investment, widen electricity access, and fast-track the country’s move to clean power. In a statement issued Thursday by REAN’s Head of Communications, Oisereime Lloyd-Dietake, the association said the appeal followed the close of Solar & Storage Live Nigeria 2026, a two-day conference and exhibition held in Lagos. The event convened top government officials, regulators, investors, development finance institutions, manufacturers, and renewable energy firms. Discussions centered on practical routes to scale up renewables, boost energy security, and build a more stable electricity market. REAN President, Ayo Ademilua, said the sector has reached a turning point. According to him, solar power and battery storage are no longer optional but central to Nigeria’s future energy supply. He urged government agencies, regulators, financial institutions, development partners, and private companies to work more closely to unlock the industry’s potential. “The next phase of Nigeria’s energy transition must focus on local manufacturing, cheaper financing, skills development, innovation, quality control, and policies that support long-term private investment,” Ademilua stated. REAN Chief Executive Officer, Motunrayo Akinfala, added that while policy progress has been made, implementation should now take priority. “We have had the conversations. We have the policies and partnerships in place. What we need now is faster execution, more investment, support for local businesses, enforcement of quality standards, and clean energy solutions that reach millions of Nigerians,” she said. Conference sessions addressed how to draw long-term capital, provide fiscal incentives, grow local content, expand state-level electricity markets, ease access to finance, strengthen domestic manufacturing, develop the workforce, ensure product quality, and expand battery storage to meet rising power demand. Participants also agreed on the need to remove poor-quality solar products from the market through tighter regulation, certification, trained installers, and better public awareness. At the end of the forum, stakeholders pledged to deepen cooperation, improve policy execution, and create a business environment that can accelerate renewable energy rollout nationwide. REAN said it will continue working with government, regulators, investors, development partners, and industry operators to advance policies that expand energy access, spur investment, generate jobs, and support a sustainable and inclusive energy future for Nigeria.

The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, has announced that Nigeria is working to expand its local solar manufacturing capacity to 3.7 gigawatts by 2027. He made this known on Thursday in Abuja during a benchmarking visit by officials of the Zanzibar Utilities Regulatory Authority. Aliyu also disclosed that Nigeria has begun exporting locally assembled solar photovoltaic panels to Ghana. According to him, the long-term goal is to reduce dependence on imported solar products, attract Chinese manufacturers to set up in Nigeria, and build a stronger domestic value chain around renewable energy equipment. He said the agency’s mini-grid program and broader electrification strategy are central to achieving universal electricity access in Nigeria by 2060. Aliyu stated that the total funds available to REA for renewable energy projects have now reached $1.23 billion. He explained that the money comes from federal budget allocations, regulatory surpluses including 2% from NERC’s tariff, funds from development finance institutions and donors, in-kind grants from bilateral partners, and intervention funds from the Federal Government. Speaking on tariffs, Aliyu said mini-grid customers are paying cost-reflective rates willingly because it is still cheaper than powering private generators. He noted that while there is a perception of a tariff problem in the media, customers pay N250 per kWh compared to about N600 per kWh for diesel generators. He added that REA created Renewable Energy Service Companies to deploy mini-grids, and some of them now manage up to 30 megawatts. He said very soon these RESCOs could grow to over 100 megawatts in generation, distribution, metering and connections, putting them on the same scale as some Distribution Companies. Also speaking, World Bank consultant supporting ZURA, William Gboney, described Nigeria as one of Africa’s leaders in off-grid electrification and mini-grid regulation. He said the visit was organized to help Zanzibar’s regulator learn from Nigeria’s experience in off-grid regulation, geospatial planning, and project implementation. Gboney stressed that universal electricity access now means more than just grid connection, and that power must also be reliable, affordable, and support productive economic activities. REA reaffirmed its commitment to working with government, regulators, investors and development partners to scale up local manufacturing, expand energy access, and strengthen Nigeria’s renewable energy sector.

Nigeria has urged German businesses to scale up investments in renewable energy, digital technology, manufacturing, and critical minerals as both countries work to strengthen a partnership that spans more than six decades. The call was made yesterday in Abuja during bilateral talks between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Johann Wadephul. Discussions centred on expanding cooperation in trade, infrastructure, security, education, technology and regional stability. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic and diplomatic ties. Welcoming the German delegation, Odumegwu-Ojukwu described Germany as one of Nigeria’s most important European partners. She said relations have evolved beyond diplomacy to cover trade and investment, renewable energy, vocational training, science and technology, migration, culture, and peace and security. “Nigeria remains committed to building a stronger relationship with Germany that delivers tangible benefits for our people while promoting regional peace, security and sustainable development,” she said. The minister listed priority areas for collaboration to include renewable energy, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure and the green economy. On his part, Wadephul reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to Nigeria, noting that Germany opened its embassy in Lagos three days after Nigeria’s independence in 1960. That, he said, marked the start of over 65 years of diplomatic relations. He added that Nigeria remains Germany’s largest bilateral trading partner in Africa, with trade between both countries growing by 10 per cent last year. In a separate engagement also held in Abuja, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said Nigeria is committed to deepening its strategic partnership with Denmark. Bagudu made the remarks while receiving the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Jens Ole Bach Hansen, and his delegation. He was joined by the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, and senior officials of the ministry. The minister said Nigeria values its longstanding relationship with Denmark and is keen to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Ambassador Hansen reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to the partnership, describing it as one built on shared values, mutual respect and common priorities. He also commended Bagudu for his role in strengthening bilateral ties and thanked him for attending Denmark’s National Day Reception. Both meetings underscore Nigeria’s push to attract more foreign investment into priority sectors as it seeks to diversify the economy, improve energy access, and drive technology and infrastructure growth.

Nigeria is now one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest markets for small-scale solar, as households and businesses turn to renewable power to escape high electricity tariffs and an unstable national grid, according to a new report by BloombergNEF. The research, published on Wednesday in Sub-Saharan Africa Clean Energy Market Outlook 2026, tracked clean energy trends across 16 markets in the region. It found that clean energy investment hit a record $13.5 billion in 2025, with Nigeria singled out as a key driver of small-scale solar growth. The report says economics, not climate policy, is now the main force behind the region’s energy shift. Soaring power prices in Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya have pushed consumers and companies to seek cheaper, more reliable alternatives to grid supply and diesel generators. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, 13 gigawatts of new solar, wind and battery capacity was installed in 2025. BloombergNEF projects annual additions will rise to 29GW by 2030. Investment in small-scale solar alone more than doubled over the year to $8.5 billion. Both large-scale renewable projects and rooftop solar-plus-battery systems are increasingly replacing petrol and diesel generators for homes and businesses, as costs continue to fall and payback periods shorten. Off-grid solutions were also flagged as critical for closing the electricity access gap. More than 560 million people in the region still lacked reliable power in 2025, the report noted. The region is also becoming a major destination for Chinese solar exports. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 10.1% of China’s solar exports in Q1 2026, up from 4.9% in the same period a year earlier. In Nigeria, adoption is accelerating across households, businesses, schools, health centres and communities. Solar photovoltaic systems, battery storage and mini-grids are being deployed to cut reliance on the grid and on costly fuel-powered generators. The shift is driven by bottom-line considerations. With businesses facing frequent outages and high operating costs, solar is increasingly viewed as a long-term cost-saving investment rather than just a green option. That trend aligns with growing government and donor focus on decentralised energy. Federal initiatives and development partners are backing solar home systems, mini-grids and other off-grid technologies to reach underserved communities. The World Bank recently approved a 2026-2032 partnership strategy for Nigeria that prioritises energy access and private investment in the power sector, further underlining the focus on renewables. Evidence from rural mini-grids in Nigeria and Kenya shows added benefits beyond power supply, including higher productivity for small businesses, longer trading hours, and less exposure to fuel price swings. Despite the momentum, BloombergNEF warned that Africa’s electricity deficit remains huge. Unreliable supply continues to constrain industrial growth, job creation and economic expansion. For Nigeria, the expanding solar market offers major potential given its population size and solar resources. But analysts say sustaining growth will require consistent policy, affordable financing, quality standards and strong consumer protection to attract long-term capital. The report concludes that Nigeria’s clean energy transition is likely to be shaped more by daily economic pressure than by climate pledges. With grid tariffs rising and generator costs remaining a heavy burden, solar power is becoming a financial necessity for millions. BloombergNEF expects falling equipment costs, rising demand for reliable electricity, and more private capital to keep driving the region’s clean energy rollout through the end of the decade.

Global electricity from renewable sources hit a record high in 2024, underlining clean energy’s central role in the worldwide shift away from fossil fuels as nations push to electrify economies and cut emissions. Data released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) shows renewable power output climbed 9.8% last year to 9,836 terawatt hours (TWh). That gave renewables a 31.7% share of total global electricity generation. The surge far exceeded growth in conventional power. Electricity from fossil fuels and other non-renewable sources rose by just 1.4% over the same period, widening the gap between clean and traditional energy technologies. Solar and wind led the expansion and are now shaping electricity markets worldwide. The trend signals that most future growth in power demand will be met by renewables. “The world is backing electrification as the core of the energy transition, and renewable electricity is powering that shift,” said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera. La Camera noted that the push for electrification stems from a growing understanding that clean power boosts energy security, strengthens economies, and shields countries from fossil fuel price shocks. But IRENA cautioned that current progress is still too slow to meet climate targets. Under the Action Agenda proposed by Türkiye, incoming host of COP31, electricity should make up 35% of final global energy demand by 2035. To meet that, renewables would need to jump from 31.7% of power generation in 2024 to 78% by 2035. That requires renewable output to grow to about 2.5 times today’s level within 10 years. “The technology exists and the costs make sense,” La Camera said. “The next step is to move quickly from fossil fuels to clean electricity in buildings, transport and industry.” UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell called the transition “irreversible,” saying markets are now choosing renewables because they are cheaper, safer and faster to install than fossil fuel plants. He contrasted this with the instability seen in oil and gas markets in recent years. Stiell, however, warned that deployment is not even. Many developing countries still face funding gaps and weak infrastructure. He urged wealthy nations to honour climate finance pledges to help vulnerable economies join the transition. Regionally, Asia remained the largest producer of renewable electricity, generating 4,589 TWh in 2024 — up 14.3% and nearly half of the global total. Growth was driven mainly by solar and wind. Europe produced 1,758 TWh, a 7.2% increase, supported by solar and hydropower. North America generated 1,535 TWh, up 5.8%, while South America reached 1,047 TWh, a 2.9% rise. The Middle East, though starting from a smaller base, posted the fastest growth at 17.3% with 76 TWh, as oil-producing states diversify energy sources. Africa generated 227 TWh, growing 5.7%, and Oceania produced 138 TWh, up 3.4%. Investments also hit new highs. IRENA reported that 693 gigawatts (GW) of renewable capacity was added in 2025, bringing total installed renewable capacity to 5.2 terawatts (TW). Renewables now represent 49.5% of all global power generation capacity, putting them almost on par with fossil fuel plants. Clean energy technologies made up 85.7% of all new electricity capacity added last year. That was down slightly from 92.7% in 2024, but IRENA said renewables still far outpaced new non-renewable additions.

Plateau State has been named among the biggest beneficiaries of the Federal Government’s $750 million renewable energy drive, with plans to roll out about 10 interconnected solar mini-grids across the state. Governor Caleb Mutfwang announced this on Tuesday during the groundbreaking ceremony for a 1.5-megawatt interconnected hybrid solar mini-grid in Pankshin Local Government Area. He expressed optimism that Plateau would begin exporting electricity within the next two years. The project, funded by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) under the Federal Government’s renewable energy programme, is being executed by MASK Nigeria Limited in collaboration with Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC). It is one of 48 similar interconnected mini-grid projects being deployed nationwide. Speaking at the event, Mutfwang described the initiative as a turning point for his administration’s efforts to improve power supply, drive industrial growth, and attract investors through clean energy. He said the facility would supply steady electricity to businesses, industries, hospitals, schools, and households, and help end reliance on diesel and petrol generators. “Today marks the start of a project that will change lives and transform the economy. Once this 1.5MW is delivered, dependence on generators in Pankshin will gradually end and businesses will bounce back,” the governor stated. Mutfwang thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for backing Plateau with key infrastructure investments. He cited the approval of the Mararaban Jama’a–Pankshin–Langtang–Shendam–River Ibi federal road and the upgrade of the Federal College of Education, Pankshin to a Federal University of Education as major interventions for the state’s growth. He added that the state government is also working with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) to upgrade transmission facilities. “Our goal is clear. In the next two years, Plateau will not only meet its own power needs but will produce enough to sell to other states,” he said. The governor disclosed that all required approvals, including the Certificate of Occupancy for the project site, have been obtained, and expressed hope that work would be completed before year-end. He urged residents, especially young people, to protect the infrastructure from vandalism. REA Managing Director, Engr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, called the project a major step toward achieving universal electricity access through renewables. He praised the governor for creating a business-friendly environment that has made Plateau attractive for clean energy investment. “This is more than a mini-grid. We are rebuilding the distribution network with new transformers, upgraded lines, and meters to end estimated billing,” Aliyu said. He noted that over 10 transformers would be installed and that the $750 million federal programme is expected to draw an additional $1.1 billion in private investment for clean energy across Nigeria. Plateau Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Bashir Lawandi Dati, described the Pankshin project as the largest solar initiative in the state so far. He said the Mutfwang administration has put in place policies to attract private sector participation, and that the project would generate jobs and boost the economy. MASK Nigeria Limited’s Technical Lead, Lau Mohammed, explained that the facility includes a 1.5MW solar plant, 2MWh battery storage, a 600KW backup generator, inverters, transformers, and a modernized distribution network designed to ensure uninterrupted power for homes and critical institutions. Local leaders including Pankshin LGA Chairman Amos Felix Benu and former Speaker Gabriel Dewan commended the partnership between the federal and state governments, saying it shows how collaboration can deliver sustainable development.

Hawaiian Electric has filed its Integrated Grid Plan Request for Proposals with the Public Utilities Commission, launching one of the largest renewable energy procurements in state history for Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and Maui. The utility said the goal of the IGP RFP is to secure competitively priced renewable power and storage to meet growing electricity demand, modernize the generation fleet, and reduce reliance on oil for power generation. CEO Scott Seu said Hawaiʻi needs to move faster and that the expedited procurement plan will drive competition, evaluate all options, and build a portfolio that delivers efficiency, reliability and lower carbon emissions at the lowest cost for customers. He noted this is one of the actions the company is taking to benefit customers and the state sooner rather than on a distant timeline. As part of the plan, Hawaiian Electric is proposing to retire aging power plants sooner by accelerating the addition of modern firm generation that can produce electricity 24/7 when variable resources like wind and solar are not available. The company is also launching one of the largest generation resource procurements in state history through a competitive bidding process. It is seeking nearly 1,650 gigawatt-hours of variable renewable energy such as solar and wind, 465 megawatts of grid-forming resources including solar plus battery storage, and 111 megawatts of firm generating capacity that can be available around the clock. Projects selected would be in service between 2031 and 2034. In addition, Hawaiian Electric is seeking separate expedited regulatory approval to expand procurement for fuel-flexible firm generation resources on Oʻahu by up to an additional 500 megawatts. In a letter to the PUC, the company said it wants a transparent, Commission-supervised forum to evaluate the firm generation component within the broader portfolio of new resources without predetermining its size or fuel requirement. The utility also plans to launch a request for proposals for all fuels by the end of 2026, including liquid and gaseous fuels, to competitively evaluate factors such as price, sourcing and environmental impact. Oʻahu is home to nearly one million residents and uses more than 70% of the electricity generated in Hawaiʻi. Electricity demand on the island is growing at its fastest pace in two decades as transportation and industrial processes become increasingly electrified. Hawaiian Electric emphasized that it remains open to a range of solutions to meet the state’s energy needs, including liquefied natural gas for power generation. Seu said natural gas could be a beneficial option for Hawaiʻi if it can deliver value to customers, but any such pathway must be evaluated transparently, rigorously and independently through the PUC’s process. An affiliate of a Japan-based energy conglomerate has announced plans to create a separate regulated utility to build and operate what would be the biggest power plant on Oʻahu fueled by LNG, with additional generating project investments to follow. The conglomerate notified the PUC that it will seek approval for this project outside the longstanding competitive bidding structure. If the PUC agrees to expand the scope of procurement in the upcoming competitive bidding process, the conglomerate’s project could be considered as part of the overall portfolio of resources being sought. Seu said having more options is good and that the company welcomes proposals from all developers to help find the optimal resource mix for Hawaiʻi. He added that Hawaiian Electric believes in an open competitive process rather than a sole-source, multibillion-dollar contract without seeing what else is available, to ensure the best outcome for Hawaiʻi today and for decades to come.

Renewable energy investor All On has pledged to scale up funding and innovation to drive clean and sustainable power across Nigeria, with a special focus on underserved rural communities. The commitment was made during its “Decade of Impact” celebration and the All On @10 Hackathon held in Lagos, an event designed to nurture the next wave of clean energy entrepreneurs in the country. Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer Caroline Eboumbou said the firm has spent the last 10 years backing people, businesses and partnerships working to expand energy access nationwide. “For a decade we have invested in the ecosystem. As we look ahead, the next phase will be shaped not just by the capital we deploy, but by the innovators we support,” Eboumbou stated. She described All On as Nigeria’s leading impact investment company in the energy access space. The company was seeded by Shell to grow the off-grid market and deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable power to low-income households and small businesses. Beyond funding, All On provides debt, equity and technical support to Nigerian energy companies aligned with its goal of closing the country’s energy gap through renewables. As part of the anniversary, the firm convened students from the University of Lagos, Lagos State University, Yaba College of Technology and other institutions for the hackathon. Participants were split into six multidisciplinary teams tasked with developing and pitching practical clean energy solutions for healthcare, education, agriculture, fisheries, cold-chain logistics and productive energy use. The company said the goal was to spur innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurship, and to challenge young people to build ideas that are technically solid, commercially viable, financially sustainable, digitally driven and socially impactful. The winning team, “Current Creators,” made up of students from the participating schools, clinched the top prize with “ColdLink.” The concept is a digital platform for renewable-powered cold-chain logistics. It integrates real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, fleet management and energy performance tracking. According to the judges, ColdLink showed how digital tools can cut post-harvest losses, improve cold-chain efficiency and strengthen the sustainability of clean energy infrastructure. All On said initiatives like the hackathon are central to building the talent and ideas needed to power Nigeria’s clean energy future over the next decade.