Nigeria DARES is building powerful momentum in expanding clean, reliable energy access across the country and the results are already transforming lives at scale.
The Standalone Solar Systems (SAS) component is delivering measurable impact, strengthening markets, and accelerating Nigeria’s pathway to sustainable electrification. From solar home systems to nationwide impact, here’s a quick look at how SAS is expanding clean, reliable energy access across Nigeria. ⚡🇳🇬 @WorldBank
Nigeria just crossed a historic threshold that signals real industrial change.
For the first time ever, in October 2025 just after we hosted the first Nigeria Renewable Energy Innovation Forum (NREIF) with the theme: Implementing the Nigeria First Policy, the country imported more solar cells (110MW) than finished solar panels (82MW).
This is more than a statistic, it’s structural. It shows Nigeria is shifting from buying clean energy solutions to building them.
When we import finished panels, most of the value stays offshore. But when we import cells and assemble locally, 60–70% of the value is created here in frames, glass, backsheets, junction boxes, encapsulation, lamination, testing, logistics, and skilled labour. That’s how industries grow.
And the momentum is clear, because between January and November 2025, Nigeria imported more solar cells for local manufacturing than in all previous years combined.
This shift didn’t happen by accident.
It reflects, the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, driving the Renewed Hope Agenda and its Nigeria First Policy, which places local content, domestic industry, and economic sovereignty at the centre of national development. The Government’s bold economic reforms that are rebuilding investor confidence, the enduring interventions within the power sector coordinated under the leadership of the Minister of Power, and critically, the impact of the NREIF, Chaired by the Vice President, where REA facilitated off-take commitments and catalyzed nearly $500 million in manufacturing and supply chain deals.
Taken together, these actions have created the strongest alignment Nigeria has seen in years, with clear policy direction, investor-ready reforms, institutional coordination, and a market finally responding to confidence, not chance.
Vision + policy + coordinated action + market signal.
The message is simple “Nigeria’s clean-energy industrialisation has begun, built in Nigeria, for Nigeria.”
#NREIF #EnergyAccess #MadeInNigeria #RenewableEnergy #REANigeria #ManufacturingCapacity #PoweringNigeria #SustainableDevelopment
More wins from the Nigeria Renewable Energy Innovation Forum (NREIF).
During NREIF, Auxano Solar signed an MOU with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to develop a 110MW solar panel factory and a 216kWh lithium battery assembly plant in Lagos. Today, I’m pleased to share that these commitments are fast becoming reality.
Their solar panel factory is already fully operational and is producing high-quality, locally made panels. And now, Auxano Solar has officially commenced the assembly of lithium-ion batteries at their Lagos facility. This is a significant step forward for Nigeria’s manufacturing and assembly capacity, and a clear demonstration of what happens when we prioritize homegrown solutions under the Nigeria First agenda.
This progress is exactly why we created NREIF, to unlock opportunities, attract investment, and empower local industry to build the energy systems of the future.
We will continue to support partners who are ready to innovate, invest and build in Nigeria.
#RenewableEnergy #ManufacturingNigeria #EnergyTransition #NigeriaFirstAgenda #REA #AuxanoSolar #NREIF #CleanEnergy #SustainableDevelopment #EnergyAccess #NigeriaForward
We stand together in orange - #UNiTE to say STOP ✋ Violence against Women and girls. At the @TheREANigeria -NEP Office, staff joined the global call by wearing orange and capturing moments of solidarity.
We remain committed to promoting safety, dignity, and equality for all.
#OrangeTheWorld #EndGBV #16DaysOfActivism @abbaaliyu_@UN
At the @TheREANigeria Headquarters yesterday, I had the privilege of joining the Managing Director/CEO, Dr @abbaaliyu_ to welcome Jie Tang, Practice Manager, Energy and Extractive Practice @WorldBank , as part of his mission visit to Nigeria.
Our engagement provided an important opportunity to discuss the progress and ongoing work under Nigeria Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale Up, and the milestones driving our projects across the Nigeria Electrification Programme.
Mr. Tang reaffirmed the Bank’s strong confidence in our delivery capacity and highlighted the REA-NEP’s role as a critical stakeholder in advancing Nigeria’s #energyaccess agenda.
We value the World Bank’s continued #partnership and remain focused on delivering sustainable, people-centered electrification outcomes for Nigerians.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of welcoming Jie Tang, the World Bank’s Energy Sector Practice Manager, to the REA Headquarters as part of his mission visit to Nigeria.
Our discussions focused on the progress of Mission 300: DARES, our energy connection targets, and the ongoing work behind the capital projects coordinated through the REA’s Technical Services Department. I was joined by the Head of NEP, @FemiAkinyelure , and the ED Technical Services, Engr. Umar A Umar, as we walked through our current frameworks, milestones, and the road ahead.
It was an honour to speak today at TEDxBauchi, alongside so many brilliant minds shaping Nigeria’s future. What made this moment special for me was the opportunity to discuss a question that will define our national trajectory for decades to come:
“Are we truly positioned to take the opportunities of electricity and AI?”
Yesterday at the Bauchi State Energy Access Roundtable was a powerful reminder of what true partnership can achieve. We were honored to have His Excellency, the Governor of Bauchi State, in attendance and arriving right on time, bringing with him his usual energy and commitment to advancing renewable energy in the state.
The Governor’s continued engagement with the REA, from his visit to our headquarters last year to his strong push for this Roundtable, speaks volumes about his dedication to expanding energy access and attracting clean energy investment to Bauchi.
I’m sincerely grateful for his leadership and for the kind praises he shared with the REA, NEP executives and the entire agency. Moments like these reaffirm our shared goal of building a brighter, more sustainable future for every Nigerian community.
#EnergyAccess #RenewableEnergy #SustainableDevelopment #BauchiState #REANigeria #NEPNigeria #EnergyForAll #CleanEnergyTransition #PoweringNigeria #StrategicPartnerships
ICYMI Discover the Full NEP Story
From 2018 to 2024, the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP), implemented by the @TheREANigeria with funding from @WorldBank, transformed lives across Nigeria.
The NEP brought clean, reliable electricity to over 7 million Nigerians in rural and underserved communities through:
• Solar Hybrid Mini-Grids
• Standalone Solar Home Systems
• Captive Power Plants
This initiative didn't just light up homes; it powered schools, clinics, businesses, and dreams, creating a lasting impact far beyond the data.
In the coming days and weeks, we'll be sharing a closer look at the mechanics, how the NEP worked and the smart policies that were key to its success.
But first, discover the full NEP journey and impact in our official legacy photobook, click here👉 to explore https://t.co/gXOSUQzuue
#NewEnergies #BeyondData #RuralElectrification
This week in Lagos, I had the privilege of participating as a panelist at two significant gatherings shaping the future of Nigeria’s clean energy transition, the Nigeria Energy Leadership Summit and the Delta40 Energy & Mobility Innovation Scale Summit.
At the Nigeria Energy Leadership Summit, I joined a robust discussion under the theme “Energy Investment Ignited: Zooming into Nigeria's Game Changing Capital Strategies,” where thought leaders and key stakeholders explored innovative financing mechanisms and private sector participation critical to unlocking large scale energy investments in Nigeria.
Then at the Delta40 Summit, I had another opportunity to share insights on “Innovations in Financing: Last-Mile Energy & Mobility at Scale,” emphasizing the importance of inclusive, data-driven, and sustainable financing models to expand access to clean energy across underserved communities.
I would like to specially appreciate the Honourable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo A. Adelabu, for his inspiring remarks at the Nigeria Energy Leadership Summit, where he highlighted the Rural Electrification Agency’s pivotal role through initiatives such as NESIP, DARES, and our State-by-State Energy Access Engagements, all of which continue to drive measurable impact across Nigeria’s renewable energy landscape.
Each of these platforms reinforces the same message and that is Nigeria’s energy transition will be built on collaboration, innovation, and sustainable investment. And at the REA, we remain deeply committed to powering growth, empowering communities, and shaping a resilient, green future for all.
#EnergyTransition #CleanEnergyNigeria #REA #DARES #NESIP #RenewableEnergy #EnergyInvestment #StatebyStateRoundtable #Delta40Summit #NigeriaEnergyLeadershipSummit
As we head into the weekend, here’s a quick line up of some of my key activities from last week (20th October - 24th October) at the @TheREANigeria
I implore you to follow me on the journey of closing the energy access gap in our dear country, Nigeria.
🎙#NREIF2025 - Real Insights. Real Solutions. Real Actions.
George Ogbonnaya, Nzan Ogbe, Caroline Eboumbou, Chuks Umezulora, Onyinyechi Princess Akachukwu, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, T. Patrick Walsh and
Lawrence Edeke all shared insightful and incisive submissions on the panel, "Unlocking Opportunities: Private Sector Pathways to Clean Energy Manufacturing in Nigeria" at #NREIF.
The role of Renewable Energy Service Companies and vertically integrated renewable energy firms is clear. There is a need to continue catalyze growth, innovation, and strategic partnerships to build a strong local manufacturing ecosystem in Nigeria.
REA-Sun King deal targets $150 million import substitution via local production.
“The partnership, announced at the Nigeria Renewable Energy Innovation Forum (NREIF) in Abuja, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest to build a self-sustaining clean energy economy and reduce import dependence by as much as $150 million over the next five years.” - BUSINESS DAY
https://t.co/PXlI836YJ1
This week has been one of meaningful engagements and renewed partnerships as we continue to drive Nigeria’s energy access and rural development agenda through collaboration and innovation.
On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of receiving Usoro Akpabio, the MD/CEO of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), on a courtesy visit at the REA, where we discussed key areas of collaboration to extend clean energy access across the South-South region. The REA management also met with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on the same day, aligning our shared goals toward sustainable development and energy solutions for the Niger Delta.
Later that day, I met with the World Bank Mission Team to discuss the Distribution Sector Recovery Program (DISREP) and the Power Sector Recovery Program for Results Operation – Additional Financing (PSRO-AF). Our conversations centred on on-grid electrification and densification, ensuring that more communities benefit from a reliable, sustainable power supply under Nigeria’s evolving power sector reforms.
On Wednesday, I was delighted to welcome alumni members of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), on a courtesy visit — a reminder of the shared values of leadership, learning, and service that continue to shape our contributions to nation-building.
That same day, I joined our SERVICOM Unit in commemorating the 2025 Customer Service Week, themed “Mission Possible.” This celebration underscored our commitment to service excellence, empathy, and teamwork in delivering the REA’s mandate.
Later in the day, I paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Environment, where we touched on established partnerships and explored opportunities for further collaboration and alignment of goals, particularly at the juncture of advancing environmental sustainability through clean energy interventions.
The week concluded on Thursday with the AFD x REA Gender Assessment and Action Plan Workshop — a vital step following our recent gender audit. This session helped develop actionable strategies to strengthen REA’s institutional framework for gender equity and inclusion, ensuring that our work continues to empower both women and men in the renewable energy space.
It has indeed been a week that reflects the spirit of partnership, engagement, innovation, and collective progress, which are values that continue to guide our journey toward a cleaner, more inclusive, and energy-secure Nigeria.
#RenewableNigeria #EnergyForAll #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #Partnerships #Sustainability #Leadership #CustomerServiceWeek2025 #GenderEquality #NigeriaRising #GreenGrowth #GreenEnergy
Nigeria has just achieved another milestone and historic feat in the renewable energy sector, and I am deeply honoured to be sharing this news with you, my fellow Nigerians. One of our strategic partners and RESCOs, Levene Photovoltaic Technologies (@LPVtech), with which the REA has been working to crystallise local manufacturing, has just exported solar panels manufactured right here in Nigeria to Accra, Ghana. This moment marks a transformational chapter for Nigeria and a resounding indication of the progress we are making in the renewable energy sector.
This landmark development aligns perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to reversing Nigeria’s dependence on imported solar PV panels and positioning the country as a key player in the global clean energy value chain. It also underscores the Rural Electrification Agency’s (REA) strategic drive to advance the Federal Government’s policy on local content and renewable energy industrialisation through innovative partnerships that strengthen domestic capacity while opening new regional markets.
Together, through deliberate strategies and collaborative actions, we are demonstrating that Nigeria can produce, deploy, and export sustainable energy solutions that power inclusive growth across Africa from right here at home.
It is worth highlighting that before the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s solar PV manufacturing capacity stood at approximately 120 Megawatts. Today, that capacity has grown to 650 Megawatts, which is a clear reflection of visionary leadership, targeted investments, and the resilience of our private sector partners.
This milestone is not just a win for the REA or the renewable energy industry; it is a defining milestone in Nigeria’s renewable energy journey and a win for Nigeria, which symbolises what’s possible when policy, partnership, and purpose align for national progress.
#RenewableNigeria #MadeInNigeria #NigeriaFirst #NREIF2025 #PoweringInnovation #EnergyForAll #LocalContent #REAxLevenePV #REAxLPVT #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #CleanEnergyAfrica #SolarNigeria #Industrialisation #GreenGrowth