The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has signed grant agreements with nine renewable energy companies under the World Bank-funded DARES project to provide electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians through the deployment of 1,350 mini-grids.
Announced by REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu on April 29, 2025, the initiative marks the first phase of the DARES program and supports the global Mission 300 goal of expanding energy access to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.
Participating firms include Privida Power, Baobab Plus, Salpha Energy, Asolar, NTA-StarTimes, A4&T Power, Sunking Greenlight Planet, Bboxx, and D.Light.REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu stated that the deployment of interconnected mini-grids aims to improve electricity reliability for Band D and E customers and expand access to underserved areas.
The project includes two key components: the deployment of both isolated and interconnected mini-grids, and solar home systems. So far, 198 sites have been proposed, with an expected 340,000 new connections and an additional 47 megawatts of clean energy to the national grid.
REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu announced that Privida Power will deliver over 2.5 megawatts of electricity through 11 sites, adding 11,000 new connections, while eight companies will deploy 1.6 million solar home systems in rural areas. He emphasized the project’s role in expanding electricity access and supporting President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to resolve Nigeria’s power challenges. Aliyu expressed optimism that the issue of 18 million Nigerians lacking electricity will soon be addressed through initiatives like DARES.
NEP Head Olufemi Akinyelure highlighted the project’s broader impact, stating that each connection supports access to education, healthcare, and economic inclusion, transforming lives and communities.NEP Head Olufemi Akinyelure emphasized that partnerships like those under the DARES initiative are vital for achieving Nigeria’s energy access goals.
DARES, a key NEP program, aims to boost the off-grid energy market through grants for mini-grids and standalone solar projects, providing reliable and affordable power to underserved communities.
Under the Performance-Based Grant sub-component, Privida Power will deploy solar mini-grids in 11 Kogi communities, delivering over 11,000 new connections. Additionally, eight companies will distribute Tier 1 and Tier 2 plug-and-play solar systems to households and MSMEs in rural areas. Privida Power CEO William Akalume affirmed the companies’ commitment to the project’s success.
