- Under a three-year plan, the DRE Nigeria Fund will support mini-grids, rooftop solar, agricultural use, and a solar technology centre.
- Minister Adebayo Adelabu said the initiative will expand energy access and drive Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
The Federal Government has partnered with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to launch a $500 million Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) Nigeria Fund to accelerate nationwide solar adoption.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and ISA Director-General Ashish Khanna formalised the agreement during the Seventh Regional Committee Meeting for Africa, held in Accra, Ghana, from September 2 to 4, 2025. Adelabu’s media aide, Bolaji Tunji, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday, September 10.
Furthermore, the initiative establishes a three-year action plan to expand solar energy deployment. The fund will catalyse investment in renewable energy projects, supported by stronger regulatory frameworks from the Ministry of Power. Priority areas include advocacy, capacity building, and programmatic support, focusing on rooftop solar, mini-grids, agricultural applications, and establishing a Solar Technology and Application Resource Centre.
Adelabu described the partnership as a milestone in Nigeria’s energy transition strategy. “This partnership is about more than light; it’s about powering development,” he said. “Decentralised renewable energy solutions unlock opportunities, powering schools and clinics, energising SMEs, supporting agricultural processing, driving e-mobility, and enabling digital inclusion in rural communities.”
In addition, he emphasised the far-reaching impact of the initiative, noting that every deployed mini-grid and solar system could transform lives. “Each installation means a child can study, a clinic can function, an entrepreneur can thrive, and a farmer can irrigate his fields,” he added.
The partnership also reflects growing regional collaboration, with Ghana and The Gambia signing similar agreements during the Accra meeting. Through the DRE Nigeria Fund, Nigeria aims to place solar energy at the core of its electrification and clean energy strategy, closing access gaps, reducing fossil fuel dependence, and creating sustainable jobs.