Nigeria’s decentralised renewable energy drive has connected nearly six million people to power through more than 170 mini-grids and 1.2 million stand-alone solar systems, despite the country’s battle as the largest electricity access gap in the world.
According to the newly released report of the World Bank, entitled “Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2025”, Nigeria is recognized as a rising star in the adoption of clean energy solutions, despite staggering challenges in grid-based electricity supply.
The report noted that the mini-grid and solar deployments were part of efforts by Mission 300, a global initiative aimed at accelerating energy access through decentralised solutions.
“These technologies provide reliable, clean, and affordable power, offering faster deployment and supporting local economic development in Africa’s poorest and most isolated regions offering faster deployment and supporting local economic development. For instance, Nigeria’s mini-grid projects have connected nearly 6 million people through more than 170 mini-grids and almost 1.2 million stand-alone solar systems,” the report stated.
The Africa Mini-Grid Developers Association (AMDA) also noted in the report that Nigeria now hosts one of the most vibrant mini-grid markets on the continent.
“Mini-grids are growing in size and gravitating toward markets with enabling financial and regulatory frameworks. Nigeria is leading that shift,” the report by Punch newspaper quoted AMDA as saying in its 2025 market trends report.
Between 2022 and 2024, the average number of connections per mini-grid in Nigeria nearly doubled, from 244 to 458.
This growth, the report said, was largely driven by improving investor confidence, maturing regulation, and increased concessional financing.
In a further boost to the local economy, the mini-grid sector has also become a significant source of employment. AMDA disclosed that 27 mini-grid developers created over 6,000 jobs in the last four years, most of them within the rural communities where the systems were deployed.
“Mini-grids are growing in size and gravitating toward markets with an enabling financial and regulatory framework. The average number of connections per mini-grid has grown from 244 per site reported in 2022 to 458 in 2024.
“During this same period, mini-grid developers have flocked to markets with enabling ecosystems for mini-grid development, especially in Nigeria. Mini-grids are significant contributors to job creation in Africa. Just 27 mini-grid developers surveyed created more than 6,000 jobs over the past four years, with the majority of them in the communities where the mini-grids are located.
“While mini-grid costs have decreased globally, capital expenditure for deployment in Sub-Saharan Africa remains stubbornly high compared to other regions. This regional discrepancy reflects factors like high logistics costs and low population density, but improved supply chain efficiency, economies of scale, and more favourable tax treatment can help reduce costs,” the report said.
Despite the progress, however, Nigeria remains at the epicentre of a global electricity crisis. The World Bank report revealed that 86.8 million Nigerians still lack access to electricity, the highest number globally. For the third consecutive year, Nigeria retained its position as the country with the largest electricity access deficit in the world.
GIK/APA