News
A delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Headquarters paid a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration on expanding energy access across Nigeria.
The meeting had in attendance Olufemi Akinyelure, Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP), and other REA-NEP team, who joined the MD/CEO in engaging the visiting team. The engagement provided an opportunity for JICA to gain a clearer understanding of mini-grid operations in the country, with particular focus on productive uses of energy (PUE) in rural and peri-urban communities.
During the meeting, JICA shared emerging ideas and concepts aimed at enhancing energy access through PUE, especially within agricultural value chains. The team noted that as it continues to refine its frameworks for rural electrification support, insights from REA’s experience with mini-grid deployment, electricity consumption trends, and PUE integration in farming and agro-processing activities are invaluable.
REA provided updates on ongoing interventions under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) Project, highlighting progress across key components and the agency’s commitment to driving scalable, private-sector-led electrification solutions. Discussions also explored new avenues for collaboration to accelerate implementation and deepen development impact in underserved regions.
Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in order to expand clean energy access and stimulate inclusive economic growth through renewable energy solutions across Nigeria.
