The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) of Nigeria have agreed to work together to deploy NASENI’s solar resources and other renewable energy technologies to increase electricity supply to rural areas.
The two agencies signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday, September 15, 2023, in Abuja.
The partnership is aimed at bringing down the cost of solar power installation in rural areas through increased local production of solar panels by NASENI.
The overall goal is to facilitate the Federal Government’s ambition to achieve the electrification of Nigeria’s rural areas in record time.
The two agencies also pledged to collaborate on capacity building and training to develop the skills needed to deploy and maintain renewable energy systems in rural areas.
The partnership between NASENI and REA is a welcome development, as it will help to address the challenge of energy access in rural Nigeria. According to the World Bank, only about 50% of Nigerians have access to electricity, and this number is even lower in rural areas.
The deployment of renewable energy technologies in rural areas will help to improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians and boost economic development
