- The World Bank drives global energy access and clean power transitions through major projects like Nigeria’s NEP, Scaling Solar, and Vietnam’s storage pilots.
- It invests over $70 billion, reforms policies, and partners with the private sector to build resilient, low-carbon energy systems.
The World Bank has positioned itself at the forefront of energy sector transformation, financing and supporting projects that expand access, accelerate decarbonisation, and strengthen energy security. Access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy is fundamental to economic development, poverty reduction, and climate resilience. Yet, over 700 million people worldwide, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia, still live without electricity.
Meanwhile, the urgency to decarbonise energy systems has grown significantly, with the energy sector responsible for nearly three-quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions. The dual challenge of expanding energy access while transitioning to low-carbon sources requires innovative, large-scale, and well-coordinated investments.
The World Bank, through its International Development Association (IDA), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), and partnerships with International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), has emerged as a global leader in financing and implementing energy sector solutions tailored to the needs of developing and middle-income countries such as off-grid solar electrification in Nigeria, utility-scale renewables in Uzbekistan, and rooftop solar for industrial zones in Bangladesh.
Over the last two decades, it has committed over $70 billion to global energy sector investments. These projects span from national transmission networks and hydropower plants to decentralised solar systems and battery energy storage pilots. What unites these efforts is a focus on long-term sustainability, equity, and resilience.
A flagship example is the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP). With $350 million in World Bank support, the project targets rural and peri-urban communities through off-grid solar mini-grids, standalone solar home systems, and hybrid solar for public institutions like schools and clinics. Implemented by Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency, NEP has already reached over 1.5 million people and electrified more than 1,200 schools and health centres. It is closing Nigeria’s wide energy access gap, displacing diesel generators, and stimulating rural enterprise development.
Beyond individual countries, the World Bank has pursued regional frameworks to accelerate energy transformation. The Regional Off-Grid Electrification Project (ROGEP) spans 19 countries across West Africa and the Sahel. With $150 million in financing, ROGEP supports private solar companies with business development services, market intelligence, and access to finance. It also works on regional policy harmonisation to enable cross-border growth. This initiative has expanded clean energy access for more than 1.7 million people and catalysed a new ecosystem of off-grid service providers in fragile and underserved regions.
The World Bank has played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s energy turnaround in Asia. From its early support for solar home systems, installing over 4 million units in rural areas, to the more recent ACCESS Project, which supports rooftop solar for industries and utility-scale renewables, the World Bank has aligned its investments with the country’s national clean energy targets. Bangladesh’s progress is widely recognised as a model for combining rural electrification with green industrialisation.
Another signature initiative is the Scaling Solar Program, a World Bank Group innovation that packages technical assistance, guarantees, and competitive procurement for governments seeking to deploy solar power. In countries like Zambia, Ethiopia, and Uzbekistan, Scaling Solar has delivered world-class developers and record-low solar tariffs, often below 6 cents per kilowatt-hour. The program de-risks solar investment in frontier markets and helps countries achieve large-scale grid-connected solar development quickly and transparently.
Furthermore, the World Bank has recognised the importance of emerging technologies like battery energy storage systems (BESS) in integrating renewable energy into national grids. The Bank supports battery pilots alongside rooftop solar expansion in Vietnam, where economic growth drives electricity demand. These interventions improve grid flexibility, reduce dependence on coal, and enhance resilience to climate impacts like extreme heat and flooding.
With over $1 billion in financing and guarantees, the World Bank has helped Uzbekistan move from its legacy of natural gas dependence toward a more diversified and sustainable energy mix. Competitive auctions, technical reform, and transmission upgrades have positioned Uzbekistan as a Central Asian leader in renewable energy procurement.
In addition to powering homes and industries, the World Bank also helps power education and innovation. Nigeria’s Energising Education Programme (EEP), co-financed under the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), aims to electrify 37 federal universities and seven teaching hospitals with hybrid solar systems. The project improves energy reliability for students, researchers, and medical staff while laying the groundwork for developing clean energy skills. Several campuses now serve as practical hubs for solar technology, electrical engineering, and sustainability training.
These projects reflect the World Bank’s holistic approach to energy development. It combines long-term concessional financing with technical advisory, policy reform, and private sector engagement. It works across geographies, from fragile states to fast-growing economies, tailoring solutions to local needs while maintaining a clear line of sight toward global climate goals.
Moreover, the world is undergoing a profound energy transition that must be inclusive, secure, and low-carbon. Through its growing and adaptive portfolio, the World Bank is helping ensure that no country or community is left behind in this transition. Its energy sector interventions are not just about turning on the lights. They are about powering health systems, enabling digital connectivity, unlocking educational opportunity, and building the green economies of the future.
As the global energy and climate landscape continues to evolve, the World Bank’s leadership, anchored in its development mandate and technical rigour, remains essential to driving progress where it matters most.