President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, through the Rural Electrification Agency of Nigeria (REA), is rolling out about 1,300 solar mini grids nationwide under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme aimed at expanding electricity access across underserved communities in Nigeria.

The World Bank-backed $750 million initiative is designed to provide new or improved electricity supply to more than 17.5 million Nigerians through solar hybrid mini grids and standalone solar systems. The programme targets over 1,200 mini grids, making it one of the largest renewable energy access projects globally and second only to a similar initiative being implemented in India.

The DARES programme is expected to strengthen rural electrification, support small businesses, create jobs, and accelerate Nigeria’s transition to clean energy through private sector-driven renewable energy investments.