AfDB Okays $1.5 Mn Grant for Nigeria’s On-Grid IPP Solar Procurement Program

This program will assist the Nigerian government to achieve its national goal of reaching 75 percent electricity access by 2020 and electrifying unserved and underserved areas.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) board has approved the USD 1.5 million grant to support the Nigerian Government’s implementation of phase 1 of the Jigawa 1-GW Independent Power Producer (IPP) solar power procurement program.

This program will assist the Nigerian government to achieve its national goal of reaching 75 percent electricity access by 2020 and electrifying unserved and underserved areas, mainly in the northern parts of the country where access rates are lowest and increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix to 30 percent by 2030.

Moreover, the approved grant will support the completion of outstanding technical and feasibility studies and the design of a master plan for the entire program site.

However, subject to the outcome of the technical and feasibility studies, the Bank will provide additional support to the Nigerian government in the form of funding of a transaction advisor to design and launch the competitive IPP procurement.

Further, the Nigerian government has committed to de-risking the program through the provision of land and common facilities including transmission facilities.

Commenting on the development, AfDB, Vice-President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, Amadou Hott, said that the approval solidifies the Bank’s commitment to Nigeria in resolving the chronic power shortage and ensuring increased access to sustainable and cost-efficient power. Amadou further added that, “It is important for us to deliver a seamless implementation and provide necessary support to the government to conduct an effective IPP procurement process.”