Nigeria Partners with World Bank, AfDB to Connect 75 Million Citizens to Electricity
Nigeria is set to provide electricity to over 75 million citizens currently without access over the next five years through new partnerships with major global institutions, including the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB), according to the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.
Speaking at the 6th edition of the Ministerial Press Briefing, Adelabu introduced the initiative, known as “Mission 300,” describing it as one of the most ambitious energy access programs in Nigeria’s history and a critical step toward inclusive national development.
The Minister revealed that the Federal Government has already secured $750 million under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project a World Bank-supported program aimed at deploying solar hybrid mini-grids, standalone solar systems, and enhancing the national grid in underserved and off-grid communities.
“Nigeria is proud to be one of the largest beneficiaries of Mission 300. This $30 billion initiative aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030, with 75 million of them being Nigerians,” Adelabu said.
He added that the DARES project alone is expected to deliver clean energy to 17.5 million Nigerians, showcasing the impact of strong political will coupled with global support.
Adelabu stressed that these investments are not mere consumption loans but productive capital meant to drive inclusive growth, job creation, and digital access across Nigeria’s underserved regions.
“Every kilowatt of power generated, distributed, or metered through these projects will energize schools, hospitals, farms, businesses, and homes. This is how we bridge the gap between urban and rural Nigeria,” he stated.
Highlighting Nigeria’s success in attracting significant multilateral financing, the Minister described it as a sign of confidence in the country’s recent power sector reforms and enhanced financial transparency.
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“We are no longer pleading for aid; we are negotiating strategic investments. Institutions like the World Bank and AfDB recognize our seriousness, our roadmap, and the accountability frameworks we have in place. That’s why the funding is flowing,” Adelabu explained.
He credited the progress to President Bola Tinubu’s policies on sectoral alignment, regulatory independence, and aggressive debt clearance strategies.
“We have cleaned up our financial records, restructured legacy debts, and passed investor-friendly laws. Today, Nigeria is seen as a credible and attractive destination for energy investments,” Adelabu concluded.
