National DevelopmentNewsNigeriaFG, USAID Sign N115bn Deal on Power Sector Reform and Electrification

The Nigerian government, through the Federal Ministry of Power, has signed a N115 billion partnership deal with the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, to support Nigeria’s energy reform and clean energy transition.

The agreement was signed by USAID’s Nigeria Mission Director, Melissa Jones, and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Power, Mahmuda Mamman on Wednesday.

The deal is aimed at addressing the longstanding challenges in providing reliable and sustainable power to all Nigerians, and to strengthen collaboration and provide crucial resources to tackle the challenges in the power sector.

The partnership is a key component of the Power Africa programme, which is expected to double access to electricity on the continent by 2030.

The US government’s Power Africa initiative has operated for about 11 years and has made significant gains across the African continent, with almost 200 million people having gained access to electricity through their initiatives.

Both parties expressed their commitment to the project’s success. USAID’s Power Africa Coordinator, Richard Nelson, and Nigerian director Jones emphasised the US government’s dedication to improving electricity access across Africa.

“We are very excited to sign this MoU and to achieve our shared goals. Under the MoU, USAID intends to launch a new N115 billion programme to support Nigeria’s energy reform and clean energy transition,” Jones said.

“This is because we believe in the leadership here in this ministry and under the minister, and we believe in the people of Nigeria. The power of partnership is real, and the power of partnership between our two governments is needed now more than ever.”

The Nigerian Ministry of Power, through its Permanent Secretary and Minister, Adebayo Adelabu, reiterated its resolve to ensure these interventions yield tangible benefits for all Nigerians.

“This new N115.2 billion partnership with USAID represents a pivotal step towards overcoming our longstanding challenges in providing reliable and sustainable power to all Nigerians. It strengthens our collaboration and provides crucial resources to tackle the challenges in our power sector,” Adelabu noted.