Nigeria Signs $200 Million Deal to Power Rural Areas with Renewable Mini Grids
By Ibrahim Umar,
Kanempress News,
11th,March,2025
Nigeria has entered a significant $200 million agreement with WeLight, a leading pan-African Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) company, to deploy hundreds of renewable mini grids across the country. This ambitious project aims to bring reliable electricity to millions of Nigerians, particularly those in rural communities and areas surrounding urban centers.
The deal, which was finalized on March 10, 2025, will help Nigeria achieve its goal of increasing the share of renewable energy in its electricity mix from 22% to 50%. The project is backed by major international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
Under the terms of the agreement, 400 mini grids and 50 larger MetroGrids will be developed and operated in Nigeria’s underserved areas. This initiative is expected to improve electricity access for between 1.5 to 2 million people and enhance local economies by providing sustainable energy sources.
The agreement was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between WeLight and Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the government body responsible for bringing electricity to millions of Nigerians without access.
Romain de Villeneuve, CEO of WeLight, emphasized that this MOU marks a major step towards providing clean, renewable electricity to millions of people in Nigeria. It also aligns with WeLight’s vision of becoming a leading pan-African energy provider.
This partnership highlights Nigeria’s continued push for greater renewable energy adoption and more sustainable power solutions, which are crucial for the country’s development and economic growth.
