- Nigeria has secured $750 million from the World Bank’s DARES project and $190 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency for off-grid power solutions.
- The discussions focused on deepening bilateral cooperation, particularly in renewable energy and rural electrification, to address Nigeria’s longstanding electricity challenges.
In a bid to enhance Nigeria’s power generation, transmission, and distribution, the Federal Government has turned to Egypt for technical collaboration and expertise.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made this appeal during a strategic meeting in Abuja with the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Fouad. The discussions focused on deepening bilateral cooperation, particularly in renewable energy and rural electrification, to address Nigeria’s longstanding electricity challenges.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu emphasised that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which prioritises electricity as a fundamental right for all Nigerians.
The minister praised Egypt’s remarkable progress in energy infrastructure and highlighted Nigeria’s interest in replicating similar successes.
“Egypt has made significant strides in energy transformation, and we are eager to collaborate and learn from their expertise. Our goal is to ensure reliable, stable, and affordable electricity access for all Nigerians,” Adelabu stated.
He further acknowledged the need for innovative solutions, particularly in rural electrification, where extending the national grid remains economically challenging.
He cited Nigeria’s renewable energy initiatives as key to bridging the electricity gap, revealing that the government had secured $750 million from the World Bank’s DARES project and an additional $190 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency for off-grid power solutions.
Ambassador Fouad welcomed Nigeria’s interest in Egypt’s energy expertise and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s power sector reforms. He highlighted Egypt’s ongoing efforts to increase its renewable energy contribution from 14% to 42% and expressed interest in learning from Nigeria’s experience as well.
“Nigeria and Egypt have much in common, and there is immense potential for collaboration in the energy sector. We are committed to working together to achieve sustainable energy solutions for both countries,” Fouad said.
The discussions also revisited a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on power projects between both nations, with the parties agreeing to activate its implementation.
“We can start by holding virtual meetings and exchanging ideas to identify areas of cooperation because power expansion, especially in renewable energy, requires ambitious planning. Like Nigeria, we are blessed with solar and wind resources and need cooperation in this area,” Fouad added.
Providing an update on Nigeria’s power sector since assuming office, Adelabu acknowledged persistent challenges, including grid reliability, ageing infrastructure, and metering gaps. However, he reassured that the government is tackling these issues through targeted initiatives, such as the Presidential Metering Initiative, aimed at ensuring more Nigerians have access to stable electricity.
The meeting underscored the deepening partnership between Nigeria and Egypt in advancing energy access and renewable energy development, with both nations poised to harness their shared resources for mutual economic growth.