Nigeria’s Clean‑Energy Push: REA Reports Steady Headway on Major Solar Electrification Effort

Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) says there has been measurable progress on the high‑value Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale‑up (DARES) solar electrification project, which is backed by roughly $750 million in international funding. The programme aims to expand access to reliable electricity in underserved rural and semi‑urban communities across the country.

In a recent statement, the Managing Director of the agency, Abba Aliyu, highlighted that construction and groundwork are advancing in line with planned timelines at multiple sites where solar infrastructure is being established. Project teams have completed key foundational stages, laying the base for decentralized renewable energy systems in several clusters.

The DARES initiative is designed to replace tens of thousands of noisy, polluting generators with clean solar mini‑grids and home‑based systems. Officials say the expanded solar network will help bridge Nigeria’s electricity access gap, benefitting households, small businesses, and public facilities that have long struggled with unstable or non‑existent power.

Work is expected to continue in the coming months, with next phases including installation of solar panels and associated equipment, which will bring millions of Nigerians closer to dependable, affordable, and sustainable energy.