The Federal Government has recorded significant progress in its effort to expand clean energy access across the country, disclosing that the Rural Electrification Fund has drawn N5.8bn in private sector investment.
The initiative managed by the Rural Electrification Agency is a key component of a wider strategy designed to boost rural development by delivering sustainable energy solutions to the underserved in communities across the country.
The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Engr Abba Aliyu, made this known during the “REF Call 3 Grant Award Signing Ceremony and Access to Finance (A2F) Workshop held in Abuja. Represented by the Executive Director, Corporate Service, Mr. Ayoade Adegboyega, the REA boss stated that the agency’s interventions have so far delivered 16.6 megawatts (Mw) of renewable energy capacity, created over 26,000 jobs, prevented 91,720 tons of CO2 emissions, and attracted N5.8 billion in private sector investment.
He also noted that the agency’s interventions have led to the deployment of 124 mini-grids, the installation of over 25,580 Solar Home Systems, and the empowerment of 18,013 micro, small, and medium enterprises. Aliyu further stated that the interventions have reached 183 communities across all 36 states including the FCT.
According to Aliyu, through initiatives such as REF Call 1, Call 2, and other flagship initiatives such as the Interconnected Mini-grid Acceleration Scheme, the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme, and the De-risking Sustainable Off-Grid Lighting Solutions, the agency has consistently shown that strategic execution can turn vision into reality.
He added that with the launch of REF Call 3, the agency’s focus shifted beyond scaling capacities to significantly increasing its impact and touching more lives.
Speaking on the next phase of the initiative, Aliyu stated that it is “designed to deepen penetration into underserved areas, catalyze productive use of energy, and foster greater empowerment of MSMEs, women-led businesses, and agricultural value chains. These achievements are not just data points. They represent lives empowered, classrooms illuminated, health centres revived, and dual economies set into motion.”
Aliyu also extended his congratulations to the successful developers selected under the latest phase of the programme, urging them to carry out the projects with a renewed sense of urgency and a strong commitment to excellence. He cautioned against delays in project completion, emphasizing that timely delivery is critical to achieving the nation’s electrification goals.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director, REF, Engr. Doris Uboh, provided an overview of the fund and its various programmes. She described the REF as a strategic financing arm of the Rural Electrification Agency, aimed to unlock electricity access in rural and semi-urban areas of Nigeria.
“Our mission is very clear. One, it is to electrify the underserved and the un-served, to energize development and to build a future where no Nigerian is left in the dark,” she sated”
Uboh further emphasized that “REF embodies the best of public-private partnerships, blending government commitments with private sector innovation to deliver sustainable decentralized energy solutions. We fund what matters. Mini-grids and solar home systems that provide 24 hours access to reliable electricity and impact productive use of energy as well as social economic activities.”
