In order to further strengthen the electrification of public institutions within the African region, the World Bank, with co-financing from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and Directorate General of International Cooperation (DGIS) of the Government of the Netherlands is set to invest 300million dollars under the Regional Off Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP) in Nigeria and other 18 African country.

The President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation Mr Sédiko Douka, disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the workshop related to stakeholders dialogue and engagement of relevant stakeholders for the electrification of public institutions Under the framework of the implementation of th REGIONAL OFF GRID
ELECTRICITY ACCESS PROJECT – ROGEAP.

The project is framed in the ECOWAS Program on Access to Sustainable Electricity Services (EPASES), directly contributing to the goals of the ECOWAS Regional Renewable Energy Policy (EREP) with a target to provide universal access to electricity to the region by 2030.

The President of ECOWAS Commission, and Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation who were jointly represented by El hadji Sylla noted that the project Covers ECOWAS REGION and Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic and Mauritania.

He also explained that the ROGEAP project has two components which includes; developing a regional market; access to finance for stand-alone solar system businesses, saying that ECOWAS Commission is the Technical Implementing Agency and Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement (BOAD) acts as the Financial Intermediary Agency.

According to the joint ECOWAS representative, in order to improve the access to electricity in the Region and Sahel Countries, the project will identify policy barriers affecting the growth of the stand-alone solar market; create awareness among the government policy makers on the benefit of removing such policy barriers; and provide targeted support to remove barriers in challenging markets.

The project would equally help the countries adopt the Common External Tariffs (CETs) to facilitate cross-border trade of standalone solar products; develop a regional quality assurance framework to facilitate supply of eligible stand-alone solar products across the 19 project countries; build human capital and increase entrepreneurial activities.

The project would equally provide access to finance to solar companies and beneficiaries in this new line of business; and reduce risk of promoting new technologies and business models for the electrification of public institutions such as health centres, and Schools.

The Minister of Power in his opening remarks said the workshop is a significant step towards our collective goal of providing sustainable and reliable electricity access to our rural communities.

The Minister emphasized that access to electricity is a fundamental driver of socio-economic development, and essential for improving the quality of life, enhancing educational opportunities, reducing poverty, and fostering economic growth.

He however, urged participants at workshop to
exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore new opportunities for collaboration as on the next steps in the implementation of yet another project that will bring Nigeria and other African nations closer to achieving our sustainable energy for all ambition.

The Director, Internationiona Cooperation Dept, Dr. Sampson Ebimaro, Represented by Mr. Fidelis Akpogu from the Fed. Ministry of Budget and Economic planning
on behalf of the Government of Nigeria appreciated the partners for the laudable initiative, which has rekindled hope and brought solution to the long-standing power crisis in the country.

“It is hoped that the various planned activities of establishing inventory and electricity needs of public institutions, and the business model for electrification of public institutions will bring succor to the Nigerian citizens,” he said.

He noted that the recommendations emanating from the meeting will help in policy formulation and improvement of electrification of public institutions and promoting a business-friendly ecosystem to attract potential investor to the country.

Similarly, Dr Muyibat Olodo Director, Technology and Science Education, Federal Ministry of Education noted that focusing on off-grid solutions, will not only bridge the electricity gap various institutions, but will also help them thrive in ways that were previously impossible.

She emphasized that collaboration is the cornerstone of success for this project.