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Tag: renewable energy

  • New financing facility to boost access to renewable energy

    New financing facility to boost access to renewable energy

    Lotus Bank and Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have reached agreement to collaborate on deepening financing for energy access across Nigeria.

    The agreement followed a high-level meeting between the bank and REA where the institutions decided to scale up financing from project-based support to a large-scale, dedicated financial framework.

    The engagement focused on the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme.

    While Lotus Bank has already been active in supporting individual projects under this initiative, the new phase of the partnership will see the bank establish its own dedicated DARES financing facility.

    Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Dr Abba Aliyu challenged the bank’s leadership to adopt a bold approach by setting a clear global funding target for the facility.

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    He emphasised the need for strong internal standards and a design that prioritizes the ability of developers to scale their operations quickly.

    He said: “That level of intentionality is exactly what the sector needs if we’re serious about moving from pilots to impact at scale”.

    He said REA remains optimistic that this collaboration will serve as a model for other commercial banks, building the necessary momentum to bridge Nigeria’s energy deficit through sustainable, private-sector-led investment.

    The shift reflected a growing trend among forward-thinking Nigerian financial institutions that are increasingly viewing renewable energy as a bankable and commercially viable sector rather than strictly a social good.

    Both organizations are now working toward the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to institutionalize the partnership.

    This agreement is expected to provide the structured capital necessary to accelerate the deployment of clean energy solutions to underserved and unserved communities nationwide.

  • Fed Govt: renewable energy open to local, foreign investors

    Fed Govt: renewable energy open to local, foreign investors

    The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing renewable energy in Nigeria through strategic partnerships with both local and international companies.

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, made the disclosure in Abuja when he received a delegation from KF Manufacturing Company, Guangzhou, China, led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bruce Zheng.

    Senator Akume underscored the centrality of renewable energy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic recovery and sustainability plan, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in the global transition to clean energy.

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    In a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the SGF, Segun Imohiosen, Akume said: “The Federal Government is opening its doors to genuine local and foreign companies with the capacity and technology to drive renewable energy projects across the country. This partnership will go a long way to promote efficient power to people, industries, and domestic uses.”

    The SGF assured that the administration is creating a conducive business environment by removing obstacles to investment.

    He highlighted the abolition of multiple foreign exchange systems and multiple taxation as clear signals of the government’s resolve to ease the cost of doing business, particularly for small and medium-scale enterprises.

    Earlier, Mr. Zheng noted that most government institutions have yet to fully embrace renewable energy.

    He affirmed his company’s readiness to work with the Nigerian government to expand access to clean and safe energy solutions.

    He disclosed that KF Manufacturing Company supplies eco-friendly and green-compliant solar panels, batteries, and inverters, which he said are crucial in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and safeguarding the environment.

  • Fed Govt opens doors to local, foreign partnerships on renewable energy

    Fed Govt opens doors to local, foreign partnerships on renewable energy

    The Federal Government has reaffirmed commitment to advancing renewable energy in Nigeria through strategic partnerships with both local and international companies.

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, made the disclosure in Abuja when he received a delegation from KF Manufacturing Company, Guangzhou, China, led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bruce Zheng.

    Akume underscored the centrality of renewable energy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic recovery and sustainability plan, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in the global transition to clean energy.

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    A statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the SGF, Segun Imohiosen, Akume explained: “The Federal Government is opening its doors to genuine local and foreign companies with the capacity and technology to drive renewable energy projects across the country. This partnership will go a long way to promote efficient power to people, industries, and domestic uses”.

    The SGF assured that the administration is creating a conducive business environment by removing obstacles to investment. 

    He highlighted the abolition of multiple foreign exchange systems and multiple taxation as clear signals of the government’s resolve to ease the cost of doing business, particularly for small and medium-scale enterprises.

     Zheng noted that most government institutions have yet to fully embrace renewable energy. 

    He affirmed his company’s readiness to work with the Nigerian government to expand access to clean and safe energy solutions.

    He disclosed that KF Manufacturing Company supplies eco-friendly and green-compliant solar panels, batteries, and inverters, which he said are crucial in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and safeguarding the environment.

  • Federal Government inaugurates committee on renewable energy

    Federal Government inaugurates committee on renewable energy

    The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with key partners to establish the National Committee on Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Innovation and Certification (NCREEIC).

    The committee is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s energy transition and boost sustainable development.

    Speaking at the signing of the MoU in Abuja, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Nnaji, said the initiative represents a bold step towards providing Nigerians with clean, reliable, and affordable energy while driving industrial growth, job creation, and environmental protection.

    “Our vision is simple but powerful: to provide every Nigerian with clean, reliable, and affordable energy, while at the same time driving innovation, industrial growth, job creation, and environmental stewardship,” Nnaji said.

    The minister said the NCREEIC would prioritise four focus areas, including innovation and research, collaboration, local content development, certification and standards.

    He assured Nigerians that the committee would operate through an inclusive, inter-ministerial approach, with contributions from relevant government agencies, the private sector and civil society.

    Read Also: Katsina approves renewable energy projects to power 11 strategic facilities

    Also, the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, described energy efficiency as a crucial pillar of the country’s energy transition agenda.

    The ECN boss said the commission was designated as the nodal agency by the UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) to coordinate Nigeria’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill, currently awaiting presentation to the National Assembly.

    He stressed that a national committee would consolidate existing efforts and accelerate the progress towards Nigeria’s sustainable energy and climate goals.

    Abdullahi said its objectives range from aligning national policy to enforcing minimum energy performance standards and boosting local research and innovation.

    “ECN has spearheaded several energy efficiency initiatives, including research, appliance testing, awareness campaigns and audits for public buildings,” he said.

    The National Coordinator of the Committee, Chijioke Nwadavid,   pledged to drive collaboration and innovation across sectors.

    “This is a transformational step in Nigeria’s pursuit of energy sustainability and innovation-driven economic growth.

    “With this Committee, we will foster collaboration, accelerate renewable energy deployment across the federation, and ensure our initiatives are grounded in transparency and impact,” he said.

  • FG advances $190m JICA loan to scale up renewable energy

    FG advances $190m JICA loan to scale up renewable energy

    The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has announced that Nigeria is advancing a $190 million renewable energy loan facility supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), designed to scale distributed renewable energy solutions across underserved communities.

    He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to deepening strategic alliances with Japan and other international partners during the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, Japan.

     The Nigerian delegation, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, participated in high-level engagements that prioritised power, infrastructure, and industrial transformation as critical levers for sustainable development.

    Speaking at the summit, President Tinubu emphasised that Nigeria’s participation at TICAD 9 was not about trade exhibitions, but about forging strategic, outcome-driven partnerships that would deliver tangible results for the Nigerian people.

    He stressed that Nigeria is deliberately shifting from planning to implementation, from agreements to delivery, and from promises to measurable results.

    Read Also: Delta signs REA renewable energy MoU to increase GDP by $2.9b

    At TICAD 9, the Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Adelabu, who was part of the national delegation, held high-level engagements with Japanese stakeholders, including Toshiba, Hitachi, Japan’s Transmission & Distribution Corporation, and Energy Exchange corporations, focusing on transmission infrastructure, operational efficiency, and strategies to reduce system losses.

     These engagements built on the recent Federal Executive Council approvals for counterpart funding of ₦19,083,192,805.30 to catalyse a loan funding of $238 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

    This loan funding will support the expansion of the national grid with the addition of 102.95km of new 330kV double circuit (DC) line, 104.59km of new 132kV double circuit (DC) line, four 330/132/33kV substations, two132/33kv substations, two 330kV line bays extension, two 132kV line bays extension, and one 132kV Substation.

    The government recently launched a $750 million World Bank Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme under the Mission 300 Compact, which aims to bring clean and reliable electricity to more than 17 million Nigerians. In parallel, three substations funded by JICA through a $32 million grant are set for commissioning in Apo (FCT), Keffi (Nasarawa State), and Apapa (Lagos State).

    These projects will directly strengthen supply reliability to households, businesses, and industrial clusters, including critical facilities such as the Lagos Port and surrounding industrial areas.

    In addition, through the partnership with JICA, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) has commissioned state-of-the-art training equipment in Abuja to strengthen the skills of distribution engineers and tackle network losses.

    This facility is designed to deepen local expertise and promote long-term sustainability in sector operations through capacity development, which remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s power sector strategy. Speaking during a panel session titled “HICKARE Africa: Harnessing Innovation, Co-creation, and Knowledge for Accessible and Resilient Energy for Africa,” Minister Adelabu highlighted Nigeria’s current energy realities, noting that only 55–60 percent of the country’s population of over 200 million has access to electricity, much of which remains unreliable.

    He explained that the Federal Government is addressing this gap by expanding grid access in urban areas while simultaneously accelerating off-grid solutions, including solar mini-grids and standalone systems, for rural and peri-urban communities.

    Despite persistent challenges such as limited access to affordable capital, cost barriers for rural households, and under-utilisation of productive-use equipment, Minister Adelabu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to overcoming these obstacles through supportive policies, strategic private-sector partnerships, and local manufacturing of renewable energy components.

    The Minister of Power expressed deep appreciation to JICA and the Government of Japan for their long-standing support to Nigeria’s power sector, recognising JICA as a reliable partner in advancing the country’s energy transition and expanding access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity.

    Adelabu highlighted JICA’s contributions across infrastructure development, technical studies, training, and renewable energy financing and expressed optimism for further strengthened collaboration and partnership between the Governments of Japan and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

  • Katsina approves renewable energy projects to power 11 strategic facilities

    In a bold and visionary move to transform Katsina State’s energy future, the State Executive Council, under the leadership of Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has approved the sum of N19,898,400,000.00 for the procurement and installation of 20.1MWp of Solar PV capacity with 10.1MWh Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across 11 key public facilities, alongside an additional 10MWp of solar power at Lambar Rimi.

    Governor Radda’s administration is determined to lead from the front in the transition to clean energy, setting an example for other states by creating a replicable model for decentralized power generation.

    Youth Day: Radda celebrates youth, reaffirms commitment to empowering the next generation

    Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has joined the global community in marking this year’s International Youth Day, commending the energy, creativity, and resilience of young people in Katsina State, across Nigeria, and around the world.

     Radda further described the youth as “the heartbeat of innovation, community service, and nation-building”, emphasizing that they are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also the driving force of today.

    He said “Our youths are the change makers of our time. My administration remains firmly committed to equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to thrive in an ever-changing world,”.

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    ‘’Over the past year, the Radda-led administration has rolled out a wide range of youth-focused initiatives designed to promote self-reliance, creativity, and sustainable livelihoods. These include:

    ‘’Youth Craft Village Transformation, A total of 634 young people have successfully graduated from the Youth Craft Village, each receiving trade-specific entrepreneurial starter packs in areas such as tailoring, carpentry, ICT, welding, and more. The facility itself has undergone a major transformation, now upgraded into a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centre of Excellence.

    ‘’This upgrade includes the creation of new departments, the securing of international accreditation, and strategic partnerships with training institutes in Brazil and Kano. In addition, new KYCV sub-centre vocational institutions have been established in Malumfashi and Daura, expanding access to hands-on skills development across the state’’.

    Governor Radda Extends Condolences to APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Over Mother’s Passing.

  • Customs, stakeholders partner to bolster renewable energy, trade

    Customs, stakeholders partner to bolster renewable energy, trade

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday said it was working closely with stakeholders to facilitating the importation of renewable energy technologies and enforcing fiscal measures that promote a shift away from fossil fuel dependency, with a view to achieving net-zero emissions in the country through cost reduction.

    The Customs boss made this known at a two-day stakeholders trade facilitation consultative forum with the theme: “Trade Facilitation Measures for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology” forum which began yesterday in Lagos. The forum was held in partnership with GIZ Energy.

    Speaking at the event, Adeniyi, who was represented by the Deputy Customs Comptroller General, Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, explained that with the increasing volume of global trade, expanding global value chains and the rise of e-commerce and Just-In-Time services, it had become imperative for Customs to adopt mechanisms that support the seamless flow of legitimate trade.

    Such mechanisms, he added, were essential not only for sustaining international commerce but also for empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to benefit from cross-border trade.

    He said: “In recent times, trade facilitation has become integral to the operations of customs administrations globally, aligning with our core mandate of implementing international trade laws.

     These include the WTO Agreement on the Implementation of Article VII of GATT 1994 (Customs Valuation Agreement), the WCO Harmonised System Convention of 1988 and its Annexes, and the WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin.”

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    The implementation of the agreements by the Service, he further explained, is in line with its traditional role of collecting duties on internationally traded goods, which is essential for national economic development. He however, noted that determining customs duties through tariff classification, valuation, and origin assessment is a technically complex process, which if noty properly understood, can result in disputes, delays, and additional costs.

    “In the context of customs operations, trade facilitation refers to systems and procedures that streamline the import, export, and transit of goods. This includes simplifying customs valuation, tariff classification, and origin determination, as well as facilitating declaration submission, payment, review, intervention, and release processes. For traders, trade facilitation ensures uniform standards, predictability and transparency critical for efficient and timely clearance,” Adeniyi explained.

    According to him, the enactment of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which provides a legal framework for trade facilitation in line with international standards had made NCS to  introduce several initiatives aimed at simplifying customs processes, saying notable among these were the Border Odogwu (B’Odogwu),  a Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) that integrates cargo declaration, payments, risk management, document verification, and cargo release into one seamless platform.

    He explained that the Advance Ruling System (ARS) launched in early 2024 provides binding pre-arrival decisions on classification and valuation. Adeniyi said that  by shifting decision-making to the pre-arrival stage, the system ensures greater predictability and reduces disputes and clearance delays.

    The Customs boss said the Service would continue to champion President Bola Tinubu’s policies that foster investment, ensure sustainability and promote responsible industrial practices, as outlined in Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP).

    As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, Adeniyi explained  that the NCS’ Trade Facilitation was committed to transitioning towards cleaner and more efficient energy systems, noting that the Service plays a pivotal role in supporting these national goals by facilitating the importation of renewable energy technologies.

    The comptroller general stressed that the key pillar of the Paris Agreement (PA) was the promotion of a sustainable, low-carbon future, driven by investment in renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies.

    He explained NCS proudly supported the WCO Green Customs Initiative, which aims to facilitate the trade of environmentally sustainable goods, saying that Green Customs Initiative responds to the growing number of legally binding Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and recognises the critical role customs play in enforcing them.

    However, Adeniyi said that the challenges of commercial fraud, revenue leakage and the enforcement of policy measures to protect domestic industries, environment as well as public safety were complicating customs procedures.

  • CSO advocates shift to renewable energy

    CSO advocates shift to renewable energy

    The Civil Society Organisations’ Budget Implementation, Assessment, Monitoring, and Evaluation Committee (CBIAMEC) has called for an urgent national transition to renewable energy as a solution to the country’s energy challenge.

    The organisation also urged policymakers to enact and enforce policies that support clean energy development.

    Addressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja on the theme: “Powering Nigeria’s Future: Advocating for a National Shift Toward Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development,” CBIAMEC Chairman, Splendour Agbonkpolor urged governments at all levels, private sector, communities, and the media to support the shift to renewable energy, which he described as essential for a greener, more prosperous, and resilient future.

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    “Nigeria must turn to cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy. It is our collective responsibility to support this transition. Renewable energy holds the key to unlocking our nation’s full potential, he said.

    Citing data from the International Energy Agency, he lamented that over 85 million Nigerians—about 45% of the population—still lack access to electricity, placing the country as the world’s largest in terms of energy access deficit.

    He stressed that unreliable and insufficient power supply continues to stifle economic activities, healthcare, and education, especially in rural areas.

    Agbonkpolor praised the efforts of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) under the leadership of Director-General Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha on ongoing projects and strategies aimed at scaling up renewable energy across the nation.

    One of ECN’s key initiatives, he revealed, is the plan to deploy 4 megawatts of renewable energy systems in each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “In collaboration with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the ECN also aims to install 5 megawatts in every local government area to reduce the urban-rural energy gap.

    “These projects align with Nigeria’s Renewable Energy Action Plan, which targets 30% renewable energy in the national energy mix by 2030,” he said.

    Highlighting the potential economic benefits, Agbonkpolor noted that renewable energy could generate millions of jobs across various sectors including solar panel manufacturing, wind turbine installation, and energy-efficient technology services.

  • FG budgets N450bn for renewable energy, poverty reduction

    FG budgets N450bn for renewable energy, poverty reduction

    The Federal Government has committed N450 billion to advancing renewable energy and reducing poverty. 

    Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, stated this at the national budget roundtable and panel discussion at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.  The event was organised by the centre for Economic Policy and Development Research (CEPDeR) of Covenant University in collaboration with the University of Warwick. 

    It had as its theme “National budgeting as a critical tool for reducing poverty and inequalities in the era of energy transitions.”

    Citing the 2022 National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), the Minister said 63% of Nigerians — about 133 million people — are living in multidimensional poverty, with 42% in extreme poverty and 40% lacking access to electricity.

    “About 85 million Nigerians don’t have access to electricity. This number mirrors those living in extreme poverty,” he said.

     “Energy poverty limits business growth, affects education and healthcare, and deepens inequality.”

    According to Yilwatda, the government is investing in renewable energy to reduce this gap and lift more Nigerians out of poverty.

     Of the N450 billion budgeted, N200 billion is allocated to renewable energy infrastructure. 

    Another  N150 billion will be used to support the development of solar, wind, hydro, and coal-based energy systems — targeting access for 5 million households by the end of 2025.

    “Five million households will gain access to power under this plan, and we are setting aside N150 billion specifically to ensure electricity access for these homes,” he said.

    In addition, N100 billion is allocated to train 250,000 Nigerians in renewable energy technologies to drive the green economy and create sustainable jobs. These roles will span sectors such as solar, wind, hydro, and thermal energy.

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    “This transition isn’t just about energy — it’s about jobs, education, and economic inclusion,” he noted. “We’re creating new smart and green jobs to reach underserved communities.”

    Yilwatda also referenced the Federal Government’s existing poverty reduction initiatives, including the conditional cash transfer scheme targeting 15 million households.  

    So far, over 5 million Nigerians are already benefitting, with recipients identified through the national social register and digital ID verification systems.

    He further revealed plans to create two million additional jobs by skilling and upskilling unemployed and underemployed Nigerians and linking them to private sector opportunities.

    Despite these ambitious goals, the Minister flagged critical challenges hindering progress: funding gaps, infrastructure deficits, skills shortages and inconsistent policies. 

    He urged the private sector to partner actively with the government in achieving its renewable energy goals.

  • NSIA, partners launch $500mn fund for distributed renewable energy in Nigeria

    NSIA, partners launch $500mn fund for distributed renewable energy in Nigeria

    The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the International Solar Alliance (ISA), and Africa50 have unveiled a $500 million Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) Nigeria Fund to develop and finance decentralized energy projects across the country.

    NSIA, SEforALL, and Africa50 formalized the initiative by signing the Heads of Terms agreement at the SEforALL Global Forum in Barbados. 

    The fund aims to attract private sector capital and provide tailored financial instruments to address key challenges, including currency volatility, tariff structures, and the limited availability of local currency financing.

    Investment focus areas include mini-grids, solar home systems, commercial and industrial (C&I) power solutions, embedded generation projects, and energy storage technologies. 

    The goal is to enhance energy access for Nigerian households and businesses while ensuring cost efficiency and reliability.

    A key component of the initiative is the mobilization of local currency funding from institutional investors such as pension funds and insurance companies. 

    The DRE Nigeria Fund is designed to serve as a scalable model for similar country-specific funds across Africa under the broader DRE Africa Platform.

    Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, described the fund as “a critical step in addressing Africa’s energy access challenges.” 

    She noted that the initiative would “attract long-term capital to scale decentralized energy solutions and move Nigeria closer to universal energy access.

    NSIA Managing Director and CEO, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, said “the fund provides a model for attracting global investment into Nigeria’s energy sector.” 

    He noted its potential to drive industrial development and expand energy access while contributing to sustainable infrastructure and economic transformation.

    Read Also: NSIA invests $2.8b to stabilise economy

    The fund is expected to benefit from catalytic capital from the International Solar Alliance, supported by the recently launched Africa Solar Facility. Ashish Khanna, Director General-Elect of ISA, stated that “mobilizing private investment and leveraging grants and equity financing are crucial to securing Africa’s energy future.”

    He pointed out that Africa currently attracts only 3 percent of global solar investments and stressed the importance of starting with Nigeria before scaling across the continent.

    Africa50 CEO, Alain Ebobisse, described the partnership as “a transformative step in accelerating renewable energy investments across Africa.” 

    He stated that “the collaboration is structured to unlock financing instruments capable of funding large-scale projects and bridging the continent’s energy access gap.”

    The DRE Nigeria Fund’s core strategy revolves around mobilizing institutional capital, fostering partnerships with the Nigerian government and private sector, and scaling renewable energy investments to support economic growth.