United Capital Plc, in partnership with the National Off-Grid Market Acceleration Program (NOMAP) and SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, has convened a strategic investment dialogue to accelerate financing for Nigeria’s renewable energy sector through the Renewable Energy Blended Finance Facility (REBF).

The high-level meeting brought together stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including investors, development finance institutions and industry players, to address infrastructure and financing gaps limiting the expansion of off-grid energy solutions across the country.

Managing Director of Investment Banking at United Capital, Dr Gbadebo Adenrele, stated that REBF is designed to improve access to funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and smallholder farmers through instruments such as term loans and working capital.

According to him, the initiative seeks to attract private sector investment into underserved segments of Nigeria’s energy market by deploying catalytic capital structures.

Adenrele explained that the country’s energy transition depends on aligning ambition with access to funding.

He said, “Nigeria’s energy transition will only be achieved if we match ambition with access to capital. This initiative reflects our commitment to channelling strategic investment where it is needed most, into the hands of entrepreneurs, SMEs, and communities that have historically been left behind by traditional financing models.

The MD emphasised that the REBF facility will transform the challenge of energy access into a scalable pathway for investment and inclusive growth.

The facility will also deploy capital through direct lending and on-lending structures, targeting renewable energy developers, mini-grid operators, and value chain participants in sectors such as agriculture, cold storage, solar refrigeration, and light industry.

Infrastructure Fund Manager at United Capital Plc, Uchenna Mkparu, noted that innovative financing models are essential to bridging Nigeria’s energy access gap.

“Bridging Nigeria’s energy access gap requires innovative financing models that reflect the realities of underserved markets. Through this collaboration, we are creating a platform to mobilise capital and support enterprise growth across the renewable energy value chain,” he mentioned.

Participants at the dialogue also highlighted the role of ecosystem-wide collaboration in scaling the sector, identifying the Nigeria Solar Marketplace as a key platform for linking stakeholders with investment opportunities, market data, and business support services.