The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially signed a £17.9 million agreement with the European Union and the German Government to support the country’s off-grid electricity initiatives. This funding is part of the third phase of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), aimed at promoting investments in renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing rural electrification.
Launched in 2013, the NESP is a technical assistance initiative co-funded by the EU and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and is implemented in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Nigeria’s Ministry of Power.
At the launch and steering committee meeting for NESP III, Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Section for Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria, emphasized the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders to achieve a cleaner energy future. She stated that the programme is set to provide electricity access to 154,000 people and introduce clean cooking gas to an additional 30,000 individuals, alongside generating eight megawatts of renewable energy.
Stefanowicz noted, “Achieving a just energy transition is a shared responsibility. The EU has been a steadfast partner, supporting Nigeria’s energy security and sustainable development goals.” She highlighted ongoing efforts to innovate and attract renewable energy investments, aimed at ensuring reliable power supply for beneficiaries.
Similarly, Johannes Lehne, Deputy Ambassador at the German Embassy, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to assisting Nigeria in reaching its energy transition targets. He underscored the significance of renewable technologies and investments in diversifying Nigeria’s energy mix and addressing the country’s energy challenges.
The third phase of the NESP has seen additional funding of €9 million from the EU, bringing the total budget to €17.9 million. This financial support is designed to help Nigeria tackle the substantial gap in electricity access, with approximately 100 million Nigerians currently lacking reliable electricity.
Mahmuda Mamman, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, remarked on the project’s potential to bridge the electricity access gap, particularly for rural communities. He noted the importance of renewable energy in meeting the needs of underserved areas.
Duke Benjamin, Head of Programme at NESP, reiterated the initiative’s goal of providing electricity to rural communities disconnected from the national grid. He acknowledged the ongoing challenges within Nigeria’s electricity sector, which has seen the national grid collapse multiple times in 2024 alone.
As Nigeria continues to confront its energy issues, the commitment from the EU and German government represents a significant step toward enhancing the country’s electricity infrastructure and promoting sustainable energy solutions.
