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A Brief History Of The Nigeria
Electrification Programme
NEP: The Journey So Far
The Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP), originally launched as the Nigeria Electrification Project, was
introduced by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2018 to address the country's critical electrification
challenges through sustainable and renewable energy solutions. This initiative, spearheaded by the
Rural Electrification Agency (REA), aims to drive economic development by providing reliable electricity
to underserved and unserved communities, particularly in rural areas. With an estimated population
of 200 million, over 86 million Nigerians lack access to electricity, positioning Nigeria low on the global
electrification index. The NEP is part of the nation's broader efforts to meet its climate commitments and
ensure sustainable energy for all.
Funded by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB), the NEP leverages private-sector
partnerships to implement its goals, recognizing that financial investment is crucial for transitioning to
cleaner energy sources.
Key Components of NEP
The NEP is categorized into five key components, each designed to target different aspects of the energy
challenge:
1. Solar Hybrid Mini-Grids for Rural Development Component: aims to support the development of private
sector isolated and interconnected mini grid across Nigeria. The objective of this component is to provide
clean and reliable electricity to unserved and underserved communities with high economic growth
potential. So far, about 180 mini-grids have been deployed across Nigeria, with more in the pipeline.
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