The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in collaboration with the West African Development Bank (BOAD), has initiated the $380 million Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP) in recognition of the critical role of energy in achieving sustainable development and poverty reduction.
This ambitious project aims to provide electricity access to 19 countries across the ECOWAS region and the Sahel between 2025 and 2030.
El Hadji Sylla, the ROGEAP coordinator and ECOWAS representative, announced the project during the ROGEAP Stakeholders Engagement Forum focused on energising public institutions in Nigeria, starting with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa and Niger states, held in Abuja.
“The project is designed to significantly increase electricity access for rural communities and public institutions,” Sylla stated.
ROGEAP is primarily funded by the World Bank, with additional financing from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and the directorate-general for International Cooperation (DGIS) of the Government of the Netherlands. Sylla highlighted that the initiative encompasses 19 countries, including 15 within the ECOWAS region and four Sahel nations.
The project consists of two main components: (1) developing a regional market for off-grid solutions and (2) facilitating access to financing for standalone solar system businesses.
“We will promote innovative schemes to electrify public institutions such as schools and health centers, enhancing service delivery,” Sylla added. “This initiative will also help establish a regional quality assurance framework to facilitate the supply of eligible standalone solar products across the 19 participating countries. Our goal is to build human capital and increase entrepreneurial activities, providing access to finance for solar companies and beneficiaries in this emerging sector. Additionally, we aim to reduce the risks associated with promoting new technologies and business models for the electrification of public institutions.”
Furthermore, Sylla explained that the project aims to foster collaboration among stakeholders, particularly within the private sector, to bolster Nigeria’s economy.
“ECOWAS will provide technical assistance through expert advisors who will conduct feasibility studies and develop a technical implementation document. Following this, the government will take the necessary steps for implementation,” he assured.
For the pilot phase, Sylla projected a timeline of 18 months to achieve concrete results following the study and installation of the facilities. “By the end of next year, we expect to see electricity in the selected public institutions. For instance, in Benin, we are quite advanced—we have completed the studies and are currently preparing the bidding documents for implementation. Nigeria is also expected to progress quickly,” he noted.
He reiterated that ROGEAP has two core components: the first aims to create a robust regional market for solar products, while the second seeks to provide loan access to the private sector. “We have allocated $140 million as a credit line that private sector entities can borrow through financial institutions and commercial banks to implement their activities. Additionally, we are providing $40 million in grants,” Sylla explained.
He added, “Just yesterday, we completed a workshop in Nigeria for 32 SMEs that received grants. We plan to disburse $800,000 to Nigerian companies to help them effectively implement their activities and enhance their business operations. Currently, we have a portfolio of $2 million in grants for SMEs in Nigeria. If Nigerian companies exhaust this portfolio while others do not utilise theirs, we can reallocate those funds to Nigeria. Our project implementation unit has observed that Nigeria is leading in response and utilisation of these funds. In the first round, over 100 Nigerian companies applied, and in the second round, about 200 companies participated. Nigeria has secured more grants than any other country involved.”
Assistant director of the renewable and rural power access department at the Ministry of Power, Engr. Bem Ayangeaor underscored the fundamental role of electricity access in socio-economic development. “Reliable energy is vital for enhancing quality of life, improving educational opportunities, reducing poverty and fostering economic growth. However, many of our rural areas still lack sustainable, reliable and affordable electricity access. I expect that this stakeholders’ forum will yield actionable recommendations to further electrify our off-grid rural areas sustainably.”
He emphasised that the Federal Ministry of Power, mainly through capital subsidies administered by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), has been implementing innovative solutions for rural electrification. Initiatives such as solar mini-grids, solar home systems and productive energy use have made significant strides in illuminating the lives of many Nigerians. “Both public and private sectors have gained invaluable experience and insights that we should leverage in the implementation of ROGEAP,” Ayangeaor stated.
He encouraged participants to invest in and engage with one another to develop effective strategies for accelerating rural electrification.
Director of technology and science education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Muyibat Olodo highlighted that electricity is the backbone of modern education. “In a world driven by technology, access to reliable power is not a luxury but a necessity for public institutions, especially in the education sector, to function optimally. It is imperative that they have uninterrupted power supply.”
She emphasised that collaboration is essential for the project’s success in achieving sustainable energy solutions for public institutions nationwide, as many institutions, particularly in rural and underserved areas, continue to face severe energy challenges. “With proper implementation, public institutions in the FCT, Nasarawa and Niger states can become models of energy resilience, self-sufficiency and sustainability,” Olodo said.
She urged the private sector representatives to view this project not merely as a business opportunity but as a chance to contribute to the future of Nigeria’s education and development through sustainable energy.
In his remarks, director of the international cooperation department at the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Sampson Ebimaro, represented by Mr. Fidelis Akpagu, assured stakeholders that the project would assist the Nigerian government in addressing the electricity deficit. “The project will support the Nigerian Government in meeting the immediate electrification needs of public institutions while addressing key national development challenges. This includes improved access to sustainable energy, building a regional market for off-grid solar products, providing access to finance for solar companies through ECOWAS subsidies, and enhancing data accessibility for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to make informed business decisions.”
Additionally, consultant and head of the cancer control and nuclear medicine programme at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Uchechukwu Nwokwu pledged the ministry’s commitment to supporting this transformative project.
