The ECOWAS Commission has awarded a $700,000 grant to the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to provide electricity in 15 public health and education institutions across Nigeria using solar photovoltaic systems.
The funding followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the agency and the ECOWAS Commission on Monday under the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project. According to a statement by the agency, the agreement provides grant funding from ECOWAS for the electrification of public health and education facilities located in the Federal Capital Territory, Niger State, and Nasarawa State.
Following the signing of the MoU with ECOWAS, the REA also entered into a separate agreement with the Niger State Government to facilitate state-level collaboration and co-financing for selected project sites within the state.
The ECOWAS partnership marked the formal commencement of Nigeria’s pilot implementation phase under the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project, a regional initiative supported by the World Bank to expand off-grid electricity access across West Africa and the Sahel.
Under the agreement, ECOWAS will provide a grant of $700,000 to support the installation of solar photovoltaic systems in rural health centres and schools. The project will be implemented by the REA as the technical and financial implementing agency.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, Dr Abba Aliyu, described the agreement as a demonstration of regional collaboration driving national development.
“This partnership with ECOWAS reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to expanding reliable electricity access to critical public institutions. Electrifying health centres and schools means improving healthcare delivery, enhancing learning conditions, and strengthening community development,” he said.
Reflecting on the regional significance of the project, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, said the initiative is central to the region’s energy goals.
“This pilot phase in Nigeria is a cornerstone of our regional strategy to eliminate energy poverty. By providing sustainable solar solutions to schools and clinics, we are not just lighting up buildings; we are powering the future of West Africa. This collaboration with the REA demonstrates how regional grants can be effectively localised to touch the lives of the most vulnerable citizens,” Touray stated.
To ensure effective implementation, a dedicated Project Implementation Unit will be established within the REA. The unit will work closely with the ROGEAP Project Implementation Unit and an established Steering Committee to oversee execution and coordination.
In alignment with the ECOWAS agreement, the REA also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Niger State Government to enable access to ECOWAS funding and provide counterpart support for project sites within the state.
The Niger State Government will collaborate with the REA on coordination, co-financing and monitoring of installations in selected facilities. Expressing support for the subnational partnership, the Governor of Niger State, Hon. Mohammed Bago, said the initiative aligns with the state’s development priorities.
“Our partnership with the REA is a testament to our administration’s ‘New Niger’ agenda, which prioritises sustainable infrastructure. By implementing these solar projects, Niger State is ensuring that our rural health and educational facilities have the reliable power they need to serve our people effectively. We remain committed to providing the necessary counterpart support to make this initiative a lasting success,” Bago said.
The agency explained that the dual-level partnership structure with ECOWAS and the subnational cooperation with the Niger State Government are designed to strengthen institutional coordination and ensure efficient delivery of the pilot project.
It added that the project is expected to improve energy reliability in rural public facilities, reduce dependence on diesel generators, lower operating costs, and promote clean energy adoption in line with Nigeria’s national energy policies.
The REA, an implementing agency of the Federal Government under the Federal Ministry of Power, is tasked with the electrification of unserved and underserved communities to catalyse economic growth and improve the quality of life for Nigerians. The agency was established under Section 127 of the Electricity Act 2023.
The Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project is a World Bank-supported regional initiative implemented by ECOWAS to promote the development of off-grid solar markets and increase access to clean energy solutions across West Africa and the Sahel.
