Precious Anga
Lagos — Nigeria’s efforts to expand electricity access have received a significant boost following a fresh $243 million commitment from the World Bank to support power projects in underserved and unserved communities across the country.
The funding is expected to accelerate the deployment of solar mini-grids, standalone renewable energy systems and other off-grid solutions aimed at connecting millions of Nigerians who remain without reliable electricity.
The intervention strengthens ongoing implementation of the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme, a flagship initiative being executed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to bridge Nigeria’s electricity access gap and stimulate economic growth in rural and peri-urban communities.
The additional financing comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s power sector, where inadequate electricity supply continues to constrain business growth, healthcare delivery, education and agricultural productivity.
Industry stakeholders say expanding access to electricity beyond the national grid remains one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to improve living standards and unlock economic opportunities across underserved regions.
Under the DARES programme, the REA is targeting electricity access for more than 17.5 million Nigerians through the deployment of over 1,300 mini-grids and other distributed energy solutions. The programme is also expected to support millions of new household and business connections while reducing dependence on diesel-powered generators.
The latest World Bank support reflects growing international confidence in Nigeria’s renewable energy and rural electrification strategy, which has increasingly focused on decentralised power systems to reach communities where grid expansion remains economically challenging.
Beyond improving electricity access, the projects are expected to support small businesses, healthcare facilities, schools and agro-processing centres, helping to drive local economic development and job creation.
Energy analysts note that while reforms across the electricity value chain remain essential, sustained investment in off-grid infrastructure could deliver faster results for communities that have waited decades for reliable power.
With millions of Nigerians still living without dependable electricity, the fresh funding is expected to accelerate the rollout of clean energy solutions and support the country’s broader objective of achieving universal energy access.
