Page 13 - NEW ENERGIES Beyond Data

Foreword

Abba Abubakar Aliyu

MD/CEO, Rural Electrification Agency

At the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), we believe that the true measure of our success lies not just in the
numbers, but in the lives we touch and the communities we uplift. These efforts have not only brought light
to homes but have also illuminated the paths to better education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

Our commitment to inclusivity is unwavering. By designing frameworks that actively involve and benefit
youth and women, we ensure that everyone has a stake in our nation’s progress. The high-impact solar
captive power plant projects at the university level are shining examples of how we are empowering the

next generation of leaders and innovators.

On an operational level, our focus extends beyond electrification to safeguarding the environment. By
structuring our projects around decarbonization, we are making significant strides in social inclusion,
gender equality, and the reduction of gender-based violence. The socio-economic development within
communities is a testament to the transformative power of our initiatives.

At REA, we go beyond counting the mini-grids we deploy. We measure the job opportunities created,
the government revenue generated, and the contribution to the gross domestic product. These metrics
reflect (GDP) how our work catalyses and enhances economic activities, bringing tangible benefits to the
communities we serve.

Electricity is the foundation for enhancing the quality of life.
When we deploy mini-grids to rural communities, our focus is on how this changes lives socially and
economically. I recall overseeing the handover of a 50-kilowatt containerized solar hybrid mini-grid at

the Federal Teaching Hospital in Port-Harcourt. The Chief Nurse managing the incubation center shared

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