In a significant stride toward closing Nigeria’s persistent energy gap, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) announced it has successfully deployed over 200 mini-grids across the country in 2025. This achievement, part of the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), has brought reliable electricity to hundreds of previously underserved communities, marking a tangible shift in the nation’s rural development strategy.
During a year-end review in Kano, REA Managing Director, Alhaji Abba Abubakar-Aliyu, framed these projects as a cornerstone of the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. However, the briefing revealed a far more ambitious roadmap, moving beyond the 200 completed grids to a future where decentralized renewable energy becomes a primary, not just alternative, power source.
Beyond the Headline: The DARES Project and a $23 Billion Challenge
The headline figure of 200 mini-grids is just the beginning. The agency secured approval for a monumental $750 million initiative called the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) project. This program targets the deployment of 1,350 new mini-grids, including 250 interconnected ones, aiming to provide power for approximately 17.5 million Nigerians.
“We are currently building over 900 mini-grids across the country; our target is 1,350,” Abubakar-Aliyu stated, highlighting the scale of ongoing work. This shift from hundreds to thousands of grids represents a strategic scaling of proven technology.
Yet, the MD provided crucial context for the enormity of the task ahead. He revealed that Nigeria requires an estimated $23 billion to fully address its electricity access deficit. This stark figure underscores that while current projects are impactful, sustained and massive investment—both public and private—is essential for universal electrification.
A Data-Driven and Collaborative Approach
The REA’s strategy appears increasingly sophisticated. A key 2025 achievement was the completion of a nationwide electrification mapping exercise, which identified over 150,000 communities either without power or suffering from unreliable supply. This data is critical for deploying “least-cost electrification solutions,” ensuring resources are allocated efficiently based on community size, location, and energy needs rather than guesswork.
Furthermore, the agency engaged 21 states through unprecedented roundtable meetings, providing them with data, partnership frameworks, and project details. This collaborative model is vital for overcoming local logistical hurdles and ensuring state governments become active partners in the electrification drive.
Building a Domestic Industry: From Import to Export
Perhaps one of the most transformative long-term developments is the focus on localizing the renewable energy supply chain. Abubakar-Aliyu reported that Nigeria’s solar panel manufacturing capacity has surged from about 120 megawatts to over 600 megawatts annually.
This growth is backed by concrete investments, with over $435 million committed for new manufacturing plants in Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Kano, and Abuja. The success of this industrial policy is already evident: Nigeria has begun exporting locally manufactured solar panels to Ghana, a significant milestone that reduces import dependency, creates jobs, and positions Nigeria as a regional green energy hub.
Powering Education and the Road Ahead
The agency’s work extends beyond remote villages. It has completed 15 mega hybrid mini-grid projects in federal universities, providing stable power for academic and research activities, and has eight more in development slated for completion in early 2026.
Looking forward, the REA’s 2026 focus is clear: complete the 1,350 mini-grids under DARES and “galvanise more funds” to tackle the $23 billion challenge. The 200 grids deployed in 2025 are a proof of concept. The real story is the systemic build-out of a decentralized, renewable-powered future—one driven by data, local industry, and large-scale investment—that could fundamentally reshape energy access for millions of Nigerians.
