The Rural Electrification Agency has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding electricity access as a tool for economic development, with stakeholders calling for greater investment in energy solutions that support businesses, agriculture and rural enterprises.
The call was made during the National Stakeholders Engagement Workshop organised by the REA in Abuja in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States and the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the Federal Government is shifting its rural electrification strategy from simply extending power infrastructure to using electricity as a catalyst for economic growth.
He said electricity should be judged by the opportunities it creates for farmers, small businesses and rural communities, noting that reliable power can improve food processing, cold storage, irrigation and other productive activities that boost incomes and create jobs.
Tegbe also highlighted the impact of poor electricity supply on agriculture, saying inadequate power continues to contribute to post-harvest losses, limited processing capacity and higher production costs. He added that the government’s Productive Use of Energy initiative aims to address these challenges by promoting energy-efficient technologies that enhance productivity and strengthen rural economies.
The Managing Director of the REA, Dr Abba Aliyu, called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, development partners and the private sector to improve project implementation and ensure long-term impact. According to him, sustainable energy systems require coordinated planning and institutional support beyond individual projects.
Aliyu added that smallholder farmers and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises remain critical to Nigeria’s food system and economic development, stressing the need for collective efforts to build resilient energy solutions.
As part of the workshop, the REA signed Memoranda of Understanding with seven organisations to support productive energy use and expand economic opportunities in underserved communities.
Also speaking, the Senior Adviser and Coordinator of the ECOWAS Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project, Elhadji Sylla, said renewable energy, particularly solar power, will play a key role in accelerating electricity access and reducing poverty by supporting productive economic activities.
