By Duro Obalola, JKNewsMedia Intern
COMMITMENT TO expanding clean energy access in Africa received renewed backing as the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) praised Nigeria’s progress towards achieving the Mission 300 target.
The commendation came during a visit by a GEAPP delegation to the Federal Ministry of Power, where discussions focused on advancing technical cooperation to accelerate energy access across the country.
During the meeting, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed that Nigeria is making steady progress in implementing the Mission 300 policy, with priority placed on deploying solar-powered irrigation systems to farmers nationwide.
The initiative, he said, aligns with the broader continental goal of providing electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, GEAPP African Director, Labna Bhayani, commended the Minister for the government’s efforts and the milestones achieved since his assumption of office, particularly in reforming Nigeria’s energy policies and expanding both grid and off-grid electricity programmes.
She said GEAPP is impressed with the country’s policy progress and pledged technical assistance to support ongoing initiatives, especially in monitoring and tracking implementation.
“Our mission here is to get firsthand information on how you are progressing on the programme,” Bhayani said.
“Even though we do not give loans like the World Bank or the African Development Bank, as a philanthropic organisation we will provide assistance where necessary to help you provide clean energy to your people.
“We are impressed with the significant progress in your policy reforms, particularly in the grid and off-grid segments. It is important for us to get involved in providing technical assistance, collaboration, and partnership in those areas.”
The Minister reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to transform the agricultural sector by deploying solar-powered irrigation systems to farmers across Nigeria.
He said the approach would boost food productivity, enhance energy access, and contribute to the achievement of the Mission 300 objectives.
Adelabu explained that Nigeria, as a signatory to Mission 300 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and having presented its National Energy Compact, is working to revolutionise agriculture and small-scale enterprises through off-grid solar power solutions targeted at rural communities.
He emphasised that such energy access will drive productivity and sustainability in rural economies. “In the area of agriculture, for instance, we want to focus on irrigation for our rural farmers.
Thousands of solar-powered pumps will be deployed to support them in boosting productivity,” the Minister said.
“We will also provide solar-powered storage facilities so that harvested produce can be preserved, and processors, planters, and harvesters can be powered using clean energy.”
According to Adelabu, the government also plans to extend solar power to small-scale businesses such as rural patent medicine stores and other enterprises that rely on consistent electricity supply.
“Through this, we will move them to clean energy and enhance their productive capacity,” he noted.
He further stated that Nigeria is making visible progress in implementing the Mission 300 framework through strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Finance.
He added that the government is seeking additional partnerships to accelerate the delivery of clean energy to underserved communities.
“We have established key pillars of the compact,” the Minister said. “About two months ago, we held our first stakeholders’ meeting. We are extending energy access to rural communities through primary health care programmes and have secured funding from India to support these efforts.”
Adelabu also highlighted ongoing national initiatives aimed at strengthening the power sector, including the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), which has delivered an additional 700 megawatts to the national grid, with the first phase of the Siemens project expected to add a further 7,000 megawatts.
He explained that reforms are underway to achieve a cost-reflective tariff regime and ensure accurate consumer billing through an expanded metering initiative.
“Our metering programme is progressing to ensure consumers get accurate value for their consumption, as estimated billing has been a major challenge,” he said.
“We have made progress, but there are still gaps to fill, and we look forward to continued support and partnership to make full implementation a reality.”
GEAPP reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with Nigeria in the technical aspects of monitoring, evaluation, and data collection under the Mission 300 framework, as both sides agreed on the importance of sustained partnership in delivering clean and reliable energy access to millions of Nigerians.
