Kano, Nigeria – The Federal Government, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), has commissioned two isolated solar mini-grid projects in Ballagaza, Gabasawa Local Government Area, and Marayar Rogo, Warawa Local Government Area of Kano State, under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme of the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), funded by the World Bank. The projects expand access to reliable electricity in underserved communities while supporting local businesses, livelihoods and economic development.

Delivered by Alfuttaim Nigeria Limited, the projects comprise a 195.2kWp solar mini-grid in Ballagaza and a 73.2kWp solar mini-grid in Marayar Rogo, with a combined installed capacity of 268.4kWp. The projects have facilitated a total of 2,214 electricity connections, comprising 1,564 connections to homes and businesses in Ballagaza and 650 connections in Marayar Rogo

The commissioning represents another milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to bridge Nigeria’s electricity access gap through private sector-led renewable energy solutions. Through the DARES programme, REA is working with development partners and private sector developers to expand electricity access for households, businesses and other customers in underserved communities

With electricity supporting activities such as milling, welding, tailoring, cold storage and other commercial services, the projects are expected to improve business operations, increase productivity and create opportunities for higher incomes. The interventions demonstrate the importance of extending reliable electricity beyond household consumption to productive uses that stimulate local economies and improve livelihoods.

Speaking at the commissioning, the Honorable Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding electricity access through sustainable energy solutions and strengthening collaboration with the private sector to deliver infrastructure that meets the needs of underserved communities
“The commissioning of these projects demonstrates the importance of sustained investment in renewable energy as a practical pathway to expanding electricity access across Nigeria. Through initiatives such as these, we are bringing power closer to communities, supporting small businesses and creating an enabling environment for economic growth. The Federal Government will continue to encourage partnerships that accelerate the delivery of reliable and sustainable electricity to Nigerians, particularly those in rural areas,” the Minister said.

Representing the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Managing Director of the Kano State Rural Electricity Board commended the Federal Government and REA for extending electricity infrastructure to the benefiting communities. He noted that improved electricity supply would support commercial activities, enhance productivity and contribute to the socio-economic development of the state.

“These projects are a welcome development for our communities, as access to reliable electricity will create new opportunities for our people, particularly local entrepreneurs and small business owners. The Kano State Government appreciates the collaboration with the Federal Government and REA and remains committed to supporting initiatives that improve living standards, stimulate economic activities and extend essential infrastructure to underserved areas of the state,” he said.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, emphasized that the Agency’s focus extends beyond the deployment of electricity infrastructure to ensuring that projects deliver tangible benefits to the people they serve.

“The real value of these projects lies in what electricity makes possible for the people who benefit from them. With 2,214 connections across Ballagaza and Marayar Rogo, we are creating opportunities for households, supporting local businesses and providing a dependable foundation for productive work, stronger enterprises and improved incomes. At REA, our commitment is to ensure that electricity access translates into meaningful improvements in livelihoods and economic opportunities for rural communities,” he said.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Alfuttaim Nigeria Limited, Femi Kumuyi, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering sustainable renewable energy solutions that improve electricity access and support economic activities in underserved communities.

“These projects demonstrate what can be achieved through strong collaboration between the Federal Government, REA, development partners and private sector developers. Beyond installing solar mini-grids, our goal is to provide reliable electricity that enables households to improve their quality of life and empowers local businesses to grow. We are proud to contribute to expanding electricity access in Ballagaza and Marayar Rogo and remain committed to supporting Nigeria’s transition towards a more inclusive and sustainable energy future,” he said.

Similarly, the Emir of Kano, represented by the Magajin Garin Kano, welcomed the projects, describing access to electricity as an important driver of community development, economic empowerment and improved livelihoods. He urged residents to take ownership of the infrastructure and work collectively to ensure its proper use, protection and sustainability.

“Reliable electricity is essential to the progress of our communities because it supports businesses, improves household welfare and creates opportunities for our young people. We appreciate the efforts of the Federal Government, REA and the project developer in bringing these benefits to our people. We encourage community members to protect the facilities, use the electricity responsibly and cooperate with the relevant operators to ensure that the projects continue to serve present and future generations,” he said.

The projects reflect REA’s continued commitment to expanding electricity access through renewable energy solutions that respond to the needs of communities while supporting the Federal Government’s broader objectives of inclusive development, economic growth and improved quality of life.

Through the DARES programme, the Agency will continue to work with the World Bank, private sector developers and other stakeholders to accelerate electricity access, stimulate rural economic activities and deliver sustainable energy solutions to underserved communities across Nigeria.

About the Rural Electrification Agency
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 Agency was established under Section 127 of the Electricity Act 2023.

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), Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP), Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF) and Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP)

The Agency is responsible for creating an enabling environment for private-sector-led projects, including conducting feasibility assessments, energy audits, enumeration, data analysis, identification of qualified private-sector developers and project stakeholder engagements.

About The Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP)
The Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP) is an innovative programme that is private sector driven, which seeks to bridge the energy access deficit for millions of Nigerians by providing electricity to households, MSMEs, educational and healthcare facilities in unserved, underserved and rural areas, through the deployment of Solar Hybrid Mini Grids, Solar Home Systems and Solar Hybrid Power Projects.