On Wednesday, The United States Agency for International Development and the Federal Ministry of Power signed a memorandum of understanding to secure Nigeria’s commitment to electricity sector reforms, market transparency, liquidity, and expanding access to affordable power.
The MOU was signed by USAID/Nigeria Mission Director, Melissa Jones, and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Mahmuda Mamman, to support the implementation of an N115.2bn US government grant-funded technical assistance programme planned to support power sector development and reforms in Nigeria. Both parties announced this in a statement issued in Abuja by the power ministry.
Over 90 million Nigerians have no access to grid power, and many have suffered from unreliable power supply.
Given this power challenge, many Nigerian families and businesses depend on expensive, emission-intensive petrol and diesel backup generators.
The Nigerian power sector’s long-standing challenges impair industrial growth and economic competitiveness, rural development, health and education sector performance, as well as the nation’s overall economic growth and development.
Melissa Jone reassured the Permanent Secretary about the US government’s commitment to advancing electrification in Nigeria.
In her words – “Today’s goal is to strengthen collaboration between USAID and the Federal Government of Nigeria and to provide a framework for our partnerships with other key actors, including state and Local Governments, electricity generation and distribution sectors and the off-grid sector. It is laudable and timely.”
The US government’s Power Africa Coordinator, Richard Nelson, observed the signing ceremony, during his first official visit to Nigeria.
