- Niger State has reached an agreement with the Islamic Development Bank to implement a $163 million solar electrification project.
- The project will deliver a 100-megawatt solar power facility to expand clean energy access and boost economic productivity.
Niger State Governor Umaru Bago has agreed with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to partner on the Niger Solar Electrification Project.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, January 26.
The project will cover 200 hectares of land and cost about $163 million. It aims to provide an alternative and reliable source of electricity to many communities. The project is the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Governor Bago received the IsDB preparation mission team for the project, codenamed NGA1063. He also said the state has invested heavily in agriculture and noted that the solar project would support food production and industrial growth.
The governor acknowledged the bank’s long-standing role in supporting development projects in the state. He said the decision to build a 100-megawatt solar power plant would boost productivity, increase revenue generation, and eventually pay for itself.
In additon, Bago said that the project would address challenges across several sectors. He assured the bank that the state would maintain all completed projects properly. He also said Niger State remains well positioned to harness its renewable energy resources.
Speaking at the meeting, IsDB Task Team Lead Daniyar Abylkhan said the bank plans to leverage the state’s abundant sunlight to generate electricity through solar power. He commended the governor for pursuing energy diversification to meet the needs of residents.
Meanwhile, Abylkhan recalled the bank’s earlier partnership with Niger State, including the reconstruction of the Minna–Bida Road. He said the success of past projects encouraged the bank to continue working with the state.
Furthermore, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Abubakar, said the meeting marked the start of the bank’s preparation process for the solar electrification project. He explained that the session focused on reviewing documents prepared by the state and stakeholders to support project appraisal and approval.
One of the project consultants, Umar Faruk-Batagarawa, said Niger State holds a unique advantage. He noted that the state has complementary power-generation sites and said the solar project would help stabilise the national grid. He added that the project would add to the more than 2,000 megawatts already generated from the state.
Another consultant, Mohammed Mahdi-Abubakar, presented an overview of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment. He said research and community engagement are critical to project success. He stressed that the government must secure public support before implementation.