The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has entered into grant agreements with nine renewable energy firms to deliver electricity access to 17.5 million Nigerians under the World Bank funded Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale Up (DARES) project. This marks a major milestone in the federal government’s ongoing efforts to close Nigeria’s energy access gap.

The initiative will see the deployment of 1,350 mini grids, both isolated and interconnected, alongside solar home systems aimed at providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable power to underserved and rural communities across the country. The programme is expected to stimulate economic growth, improve rural livelihoods, and promote cleaner energy use.

The project is a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes energy access and infrastructure expansion as central pillars of national development. Through the REA and its partners, the administration is working to ensure that millions of Nigerians benefit from sustainable electricity solutions that enhance productivity and quality of life.