- Levene Energy Holdings expands hybrid mini-grids to underserved Nigerian communities, boosting energy access.
- AI and innovation play a central role in advancing renewable energy and rural development.
Mini-grid expansion in Nigeria is gaining momentum as Levene Energy Holdings pushes forward with hybrid solar solutions. The company has confirmed its plans to extend energy access to underserved communities while contributing to Nigeria’s clean energy goals.
The announcement came during the Scaling Renewable Innovation: Bridging the Energy Access Gap with Off-Grid and Smart Technologies panel at African Energy Week 2025. The panel was sponsored by Levene Energy Holdings and highlighted how innovation can drive rural electrification.
Nzan Ogbe, Group CEO of Levene Energy Holdings, explained that successful models consider catchment areas with institutions such as schools and military bases. According to him, clustering these facilities ensures efficiency while delivering reliable power to surrounding communities.
LPV Technologies, a subsidiary of Levene Energy Holdings, has already begun deploying hybrid solar mini-grids with pay-as-you-go systems. Households can access reliable electricity while benefiting from solar panels manufactured locally at its Lagos facility. This initiative demonstrates the company’s commitment to local production and energy self-sufficiency.
The panel also included Marc Gigon, Industry Advisor at Microsoft, who discussed how artificial intelligence supports renewable energy growth in Africa. Microsoft has invested in Konexa, a UK-based company, to establish Nigeria’s first private renewable energy trading platform. This project is expected to advance industrial decarbonisation, strengthen electrification, and align with national clean energy targets.
Gigon emphasised that artificial intelligence is an enabler rather than just a tool. He stressed that renewable energy in Africa holds vast potential, and AI is key to unlocking it.
Meanwhile, solar mini-grid developer EtinPower Limited presented its approach to community empowerment. The company provides productive-use appliances, vocational training, and strategic partnerships to promote local economic growth. Its projects align with Sustainable Development Goal 7, ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.
EtinPower CEO, Yinka Omorogbe, noted that renewables remain the most effective pathway to eradicating energy poverty. She added that rural electrification supports households and fosters long-term development opportunities.