The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is the Implementing Agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) under the Federal Ministry of Power tasked with the electrification of unserved and underserved communities to catalyze economic growth and improve quality of life for Nigerians.
The REA was first established under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) 2005 to promote and support rural electrification in Nigeria.
The ESPRA 2005 has been repealed and replaced with the Electricity Act, 2023 which further reinforces the legal backing and mandate of the REA.
The REA is currently implementing the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), Capital Projects, Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES), National Public Sector Solarization Initiative (NPSSI), Solar Power Naija (SPN), Energizing Education Programme (EEP), Energizing Economies Initiative (EEI), Energizing Agriculture Programme (EAP), Energy for All – Mass Rural Electrification, Research and Innovation Hub.
Africa Mini Grids Programme (AMP), Derisking Sustainable Off-Grid Lighting Solutions (DSOLS), the Korean Energy Project, Healthcare, Education, Agriculture, Rural Development And Transportation (e-HEART) and the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP).
The Agency is responsible for creating an enabling environment for private sector-led projects, which includes conducting feasibility assessments, energy audits, enumeration, data analysis, identification of qualified private sector developers, and project stakeholder engagements.
The Rural Electrification Fund (REF) provides financial support to private sector developers to deploy sustainable and renewable energy solutions in rural communities. The fund is designed to stimulate private investment and accelerate electrification in underserved areas.
Learn More →The e-HEART initiative focuses on delivering integrated electrification solutions across critical sectors including healthcare, education, agriculture, rural development, and transportation to drive holistic socio-economic development.
Learn More →The Research and Innovation Hub supports the development of new technologies, business models, and local capacity in the renewable energy sector. It promotes innovation, knowledge sharing, and collaboration with academia and industry.
Learn More →REA's Capital Projects portfolio includes government-funded electrification projects aimed at expanding infrastructure and improving energy access in targeted communities and public facilities.
Learn More →The Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) – Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) focuses on scaling up off-grid energy access through private sector participation, mini-grids, and solar home systems.
Learn More →The Energizing Education Programme provides reliable and sustainable electricity to federal universities and teaching hospitals, enhancing learning environments, research capabilities, and overall institutional performance.
Learn More →The Energizing Economies Initiative delivers power solutions to markets, business clusters, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), boosting productivity, reducing energy costs, and supporting economic growth.
Learn More →The Energizing Agriculture Programme provides electricity to agro-processing clusters and agricultural value chains, improving productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, and supporting food security.
Learn More →NPSSI aims to solarize public sector institutions, reducing reliance on diesel generators, lowering energy costs, and promoting clean energy adoption across government facilities.
Learn More →The Korean Energy Project is a bilateral initiative focused on deploying renewable energy solutions and strengthening technical capacity through collaboration with the Government of South Korea.
Learn More →The Africa Mini Grids Programme supports the development and deployment of mini-grid solutions to increase electricity access in underserved communities while promoting sustainability and innovation.
Learn More →The DSOLS initiative focuses on reducing investment risks in off-grid lighting solutions, encouraging private sector participation and expanding access to clean lighting technologies.
Learn More →The Global Cleantech Innovation Programme supports clean energy startups and entrepreneurs by providing funding, mentorship, and capacity-building opportunities.
Learn More →Solar Power Naija is a national initiative aimed at deploying solar home systems to millions of households and small businesses without access to reliable electricity.
Learn More →The Energy for All initiative focuses on large-scale rural electrification through a combination of grid extension, mini-grids, and standalone solar solutions to achieve universal energy access.
Learn More →The Global Cleantech Innovation Programme supports clean energy startups and entrepreneurs by providing funding, mentorship, and capacity-building opportunities.
Learn More →The Rural Electricity Users Cooperative Society (REUCS) is an initiative of the REA that is aimed at mobilizing benefiting communities to achieve sustainability of electrification projects. In pursuit of its vision and mandate of achieving universal access to affordable and sustainable electricity, thus improving the quality of life and economic opportunities for unserved and underserved communities, the Agency carries out community engagement exercises and campaigns to mobilize and sensitize rural communities across the country to form Rural Electricity Users Cooperative Society (REUCS).
Learn More →Nigeria achieving universal access to affordable and sustainable electricity, thus improving the quality of life and economic opportunities for unserved and underserved communities.
To provide access to reliable electric power supply for rural dwellers irrespective of where they live and what they do, in a way that would allow for reasonable return on investment through an appropriate tariff that is economically responsive and supportive of the average rural customer.
Create an enabling channel for entry into markets for rural, unserved and underserved electrification services, and to coordinate corporate bodies wishing to supply such services and facilities.
Ensure that rural, unserved and underserved electrification services are provided efficiently, economically and at performance standards which reasonably meet social, industrial and agricultural needs of rural communities.
Promote the development and ensure the implementation of Government's policies on rural electrification and execution of all such other functions and responsibilities as are given to the Agency under this Act.
Promote electricity access for rural, unserved and underserved populace to have unfettered access to electricity facilities.
Promote the development of off-grid electrification to rural, unserved and underserved areas.
Provide the framework to support:
Promote, develop and implement any special electrification intervention programmes and projects, in both rural and peri-urban communities, as may be approved by the Federal Ministry responsible for power.
(Source: Electricity Act, 2023)
Promote universal access to affordable and sustainable electricity thereby improving the quality of life and economic opportunities for rural, unserved and underserved communities.
Provide access to reliable electric power supply for rural, unserved and underserved dwellers in a way that would allow for reasonable return on investment through appropriate tariffs that are economically responsive and supportive of the average rural customer.
Oversee, manage and execute the funding of the Rural Electrification Fund in accordance with the operational guidelines approved by the Board.
Promote the exploitation, utilisation and development of renewable energy sources in accordance with regulations and collaborate with relevant Federal ministries, departments and agencies and State Boards for Rural Electrification.
Provide learning opportunities to educate interested communities, students and individuals on the opportunities for rural, unserved, and underserved electrification business ventures.
Promote the use of low-cost options in rural electrification projects that apply for subsidy grants towards start-up cost.
Advocate and facilitate for tax incentives, investment capital allowance and low interest loans for local producers of renewable energy products.
Encourage the economic growth of rural, unserved and underserved communities through electrification projects.
Perform such other ancillary functions which are necessary and incidental to its objectives and functions under this Act or any other Act of the National Assembly.
(Source: Electricity Act, 2023)