The Federal Government, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), has formalised new agreements with 32 renewable energy firms under the third call of its Rural Electrification Fund (REF), drawing a fresh N5.8 billion in private sector investments to power Nigeria’s off-grid communities.
At the REF Call 3 Grant Award Signing Ceremony and Access to Finance (A2F) Workshop held yesterday in Abuja, REA Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, announced the milestone achievements of the fund.
Represented by the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Ayoade Adegboyega, Aliyu stressed that the agency’s growing footprint in clean energy development.
According to him, REF interventions have so far delivered 16.6 megawatts (MW) of installed renewable energy capacity, created over 26,000 jobs, and averted 91,720 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
He noted that the REF initiatives have supported the deployment of 124 mini-grids, over 25,580 Solar Home Systems (SHS), and enabled 18,013 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
These interventions have positively impacted 183 communities across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Aliyu stated that alongside REF Calls one and two, other programmes such as the Interconnected Mini-grid Acceleration Scheme (IMAS), the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP), and the De-risking Sustainable Off-Grid Lighting Solutions (DSOLS) have demonstrated what is achievable through bold vision and strategic execution.
With REF Call three, he said, the agency is aiming to deepen energy access in underserved communities, support productive use of energy (PUE), and empower more women-led businesses and agricultural value chains.
Director of REF, Doris Uboh, who gave an overview of the REF and its programmes, underscored the importance of sustainability, calling on developers to strictly adhere to operational guidelines.
“For every project we do, every mini-grid, every solar home system, we ensure compliance with the operational frameworks of the REF. Some developers have managed projects for over five or even ten years. This continuity is driven by our commitment to sustainability and job creation,” she said.
Uboh added that developers are responsible not just for generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity, but also for ensuring that the systems remain functional and revenue is collected through tariffs.
As part of the new phase, agreements were signed between the REA and 39 SHS companies, including: A.Y Global Integrated Consult Ltd, Accent Industrial Project Limited, Acob Lightning Technology Limited, Ajitec Solutions Limited, Archikam Project Ltd, Asteven International Company Ltd, Beenat International Co. Ltd, Ben-Tanko Ltd, Cheras Dynamic Synergy Ltd, Citinet Tech Innovation, Cloud Energy, Ecotribe Limited, Enfin Electrique Ltd, Estlins Signatures Ltd, Eveon Development Resources Limited, Fanny Frank Global Resources Limited, Harmas Nig Ltd, Hillanny Nig Ltd, Iterm 7 Energy Services Limited, Jaylore Projects Limited, Jeraspu International Nig Ltd, Kpemas Global Innovations Ltd, Navante Oil & Gas Company Limited, Paraclete Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Prado Power Ltd, Rokozi Investment Limited, SK-Rayy Synergy Limited, Spotles Engr Design Construction Co. Ltd, Tony Nas Global Concept Limited, Ultimo Sustantivo Nig Limited, and YLG Gates Nig Ltd.
The REF, a flagship initiative of the REA, aims to bridge the energy access gap in rural Nigeria by enabling private sector-led solutions through competitive grant calls, concessional financing, and capacity development.
Federal Government,
