The Rural Electrification Fund (REF), managed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), has secured N5.8 billion in private-sector investment.
This was disclosed during the “REF Call 3 Grant Award Signing Ceremony and Access to Finance Workshop” held on Tuesday in Abuja.
Abba Aliyu, managing director of REA, described the development as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s off-grid energy initiative. A total of 58 companies and the agency signed agreements to deploy solar mini-grids and solar home systems.
Aliyu, represented by Ayoade Adegboyega, REA’s executive director of Corporate Services, highlighted the initiative’s transformative impact. According to him, these interventions have led to the deployment of 124 mini-grids and the installation of over 25,580 Solar Home Systems (SHS), benefiting 18,013 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The programme has resulted in 16.6MW of installed renewable energy capacity, the creation of 26,000 jobs, and the reduction of 91,720 tons of CO2 emissions.
He also referenced earlier interventions, such as REF Calls 1 and 2, the Interconnected Mini-grid Acceleration Scheme, the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme, and the De-risking Sustainable Off-Grid Lighting Solutions, which have positively impacted 183 communities across the country.
Aliyu noted that REF Call 3 is focused on deeper penetration into underserved communities.
He said: “This next phase is designed to deepen penetration in underserved areas, catalyse the productive use of energy, and foster greater empowerment of MSMEs, women-led businesses, and agricultural value chains.
“They represent lives empowered, classrooms illuminated, health centres revived, and dual economies set into motion.”
He congratulated the selected developers for this phase and urged them to deliver on schedule while meeting all technical standards.
REF serves as a strategic financing vehicle of the REA, created to expand electricity access in rural and underserved areas across Nigeria through public-private partnerships aimed at delivering sustainable energy solutions.
