As part of its commitment to transparency, consistency, and structured stakeholder engagement, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), through the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP), convened its final strategic roundtable engagement of 2025 under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) Project. Held on Friday, 12 December 2025, the engagement brought together the REA-NEP project implementation team and a broad spectrum of stakeholders across Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem, including project developers, Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs) and technical partners to review progress, clarify implementation frameworks and align expectations ahead of 2026.

The roundtable marked one year of DARES implementation and served as a critical stock-taking forum to assess achievements across the programme’s core components; Solar Hybrid Mini-Grids and Stand-Alone Solar (SAS), while addressing operational bottlenecks, compliance requirements, and upcoming programme expansions. It also provided a platform for open dialogue, allowing stakeholders to interrogate programme data, seek clarifications, and jointly prepare for the next phase of implementation.

In his opening remarks, the Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme, Mr. Olufemi Akinyelure, described the engagement as the culmination of a series of structured interactions held throughout the year to ensure shared understanding and smooth programme execution. He emphasized that while 2025 focused on establishing systems, pipelines, and early deployment, 2026 would be a defining year for delivery, performance, and accountability. He reaffirmed REA’s commitment to continued engagement with stakeholders and announced plans for an early-year roundtable in 2026 to reinforce key implementation requirements and address emerging issues, particularly around newly introduced programme windows.

NEP–PBG Legacy Projects: Clearing the Pipeline

Providing a comprehensive update on NEP–PBG legacy projects now being settled under DARES, the Project Manager for Isolated Mini-Grids, Engr. Stanley Onwunumah, disclosed that 28,900 connections across 64 sites are eligible for payment, amounting to USD 13.005 million under the DARES–NEP legacy arrangement.

He explained that these inherited projects were integrated into DARES following the closure of claims submission on 31 October 2025. Mr. Onwunumah also presented a detailed overview of progress under the isolated mini-grid component, covering qualification stages, site-specific approvals, grant agreements, and disbursement milestones.

According to him, 215 companies applied under the isolated mini-grid component, with 120 qualifying for site-specific stages. A total of 1,249 projects were submitted for evaluation by 73 companies, while 379 projects designed to power 375 communities were approved and signed by 33 companies.

Interconnected Mini-Grids: Structure, Eligibility and Expectations

The roundtable also provided updates on the Interconnected Mini-Grid component by the Project Manager Engr. Paul Iyogun. Thirteen companies have applied under this window, with seven qualifying for the site-specific stage to date. While no sites have yet been submitted for evaluation or grant agreements signed, the process mirrors that of isolated mini-grids, encompassing qualification, site-specific approval, grant agreement execution, and disbursement. Additional technical and financial requirements apply, including minimum financing thresholds, demonstrated fundraising capacity, and experience delivering utility-scale systems. Funding under this component is differentiated by feeder band, with grant levels set at USD 750/kWp for Band C, USD 950/kWp for Band D, and USD 1,000/kWp for Band E.

Compliance, Safeguards and Performance Monitoring

The Senior Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist, Prof. Michael Okoh, urged developers to treat all outlined requirements with utmost seriousness. He emphasized that conditional approvals are non-negotiable and that developers must meet all stipulated conditions to access funding. He also called on RESCOs to promptly respond to outstanding questionnaires issued by the REA-NEP team.

Similarly, the Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Mr. Akintunde Falola, noted that REA-NEP is actively tracking developer performance across project sites. He explained that implementation progress is being monitored against agreed milestones and deliverables, warning that prolonged inactivity may affect a developer’s continued participation under the DARES framework.

SAS Component: Deepening Impact Through New Frontiers

The SAS component recorded significant momentum within its first year, achieving 9.32 MW of installed PV capacity, 322,720 systems deployed, and over 1.5 million people impacted. Developers were reminded that component allocations are indicative and may be reallocated based on performance.

Another forward-looking highlight of the roundtable was the introduction of two new SAS sub-components: Solar for Business (SFB) and Productive Use of Energy (PUE). These interventions are designed to deepen the economic impact of electrification by supporting MSMEs, markets, agro-processing clusters, and income-generating activities. The Solar for Business model will prioritize productive enterprises through lease-to-own and Energy-as-a-Service arrangements, while the PUE window will support technologies such as agro-processing equipment, cold storage, solar drying, irrigation, and e-mobility infrastructure. Detailed onboarding guidelines, subsidy structures, and eligibility criteria will be communicated subsequently, with onboarding expected to commence in early 2026.

Digital Platforms, Verification, and Feedback

Live technical walkthroughs of the Odyssey and VIDA platforms reinforced the importance of accurate data submission, milestone tracking, and GPS alignment. Claims submitted with errors will be rejected and treated as failed claims. Developers were reminded to channel all complaints and enquiries through the Project Information and Feedback Unit (PIFU), using designated toll-free lines, email, and online platforms.Live technical walkthroughs of the Odyssey and VIDA platforms reinforced the importance of accurate data submission, milestone tracking, and GPS alignment. Claims submitted with errors will be rejected and treated as failed claims. Developers were reminded to channel all complaints and enquiries through the Project Information and Feedback Unit (PIFU), using designated toll-free lines, email, and online platforms.

The roundtable concluded with an extensive question-and-answer session, reinforcing shared understanding and alignment. As DARES transitions into its next phase, the insights, clarifications, and shared commitments from the 2025 final roundtable have laid a strong foundation for accelerated delivery, improved performance, and expanded energy access across Nigeria in the year ahead.