In a major push to accelerate clean energy access, the Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the International Solar Alliance (ISA), has unveiled a $500 million Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) Nigeria Fund aimed at scaling up solar deployment across the country.
The announcement was made public in a statement issued on Wednesday by Bolaji Tunji, media aide to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu. The partnership was formally sealed at the Seventh ISA Regional Committee Meeting for Africa, held in Accra, Ghana, from September 2–4, 2025.
According to the Ministry, the DRE Nigeria Fund is part of a broader three-year action plan that will serve as a catalyst for investment and innovation in the renewable energy sector. The initiative comes with the full regulatory backing of the Federal Ministry of Power.
Key focus areas of the program include:
- Expanding solar-powered mini-grids
- Promoting rooftop solar solutions
- Integrating solar into agriculture and irrigation systems
- Establishing a Solar Technology and Application Resource Centre
- Scaling solar adoption in schools, clinics, and SMEs
Minister Adelabu described the fund as a “milestone moment” for Nigeria’s energy transition goals, saying the initiative is not just about electricity but unlocking socio-economic transformation.
“This partnership is about more than light,” he said.
“It’s about powering schools and health centres, driving small businesses, enabling digital access in rural areas, and supporting agricultural innovation through solar irrigation.”
He emphasised that every solar installation whether a single rooftop panel or a full community mini-grid has the power to change lives.
“Each system deployed means a child can study at night, a health facility can operate reliably, a business can grow, and a farmer can irrigate crops even in remote areas,” Adelabu added.
Nigeria’s announcement comes alongside similar agreements signed by Ghana and The Gambia at the Accra meeting, highlighting growing regional collaboration in pursuit of clean energy access and climate resilience across Africa.
ISA’s Director-General, Ashish Khanna, who co-signed the agreement with Adelabu, commended Nigeria’s leadership in embedding solar energy at the centre of its national electrification roadmap.
The Federal Government says this fund will support Nigeria’s commitment to:
- Close electricity access gaps, especially in off-grid and rural communities
- Reduce dependence on fossil fuels
- Create thousands of green jobs in the solar energy value chain
- Support e-mobility, sustainable farming, and digital inclusion
The DRE Nigeria Fund, backed by both financial and technical support, is expected to open new opportunities for public-private partnerships and drive inclusive energy access in alignment with Nigeria’s broader Energy Transition Plan and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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