Using mesh-grid technology, the Federal Government’s Rural Electrification Agency has teamed up with Okra Solar, an Australian company, and several Nigerian Renewable Energy Service Companies to electrify 100,000 underserved houses, affecting roughly 500,000 people.
The initiative is part of the Distributed Access to Renewable Energy Scale-up program, a $750 million World Bank-funded project that aims to accelerate rural electrification in Nigeria. Okra Solar signed the statement, which was released on Thursday to introduce mesh-grid technology to communities that have historically lacked access to dependable energy, Okra Solar will collaborate with five RESCOs: SOSAI Renewable Energies Company, First Electric, Renewvia Energy, Creeds, and Electrify Microgrid, the release available to BrandSpur Nice news said.g
The statement partly reads: “DARES, a $750 million programme funded by the World Bank, is the world’s largest energy access initiative. For the first time, a government grant programme explicitly includes mesh-grid technology, enabling even the most remote communities to access sustainable energy.”
Continuing, to facilitate mesh-grid adoption and aid in expanding the initiative’s nationwide impact, the participating RESCOs will exchange data with the REA. Mesh-grids, which provide up to 2.4kW of AC power to enable productive purposes including water pumping, refrigeration, milling, and electric cooking, are also noted as offering a rapid deployment approach with fewer capital expenditures. They also guarantee over 98% uptime.
The cooperation places a high priority on scalability, financial sustainability, and long-term effect, guaranteeing that the electrification projects will benefit communities long after the funding program is over.
Abba Abubakar, the REA’s Managing Director, reiterated the organization’s dedication to creative solutions and strategic alliances that propel the adoption of renewable energy.
According to him: “The Rural Electrification Agency remains at the forefront of Nigeria’s drive to expand energy access using innovative and sustainable solutions.
“This partnership is part of the REA’s sustained efforts and commitments targeted at scaling up renewable energy access in Nigeria while powering homes, businesses, schools, and productive-use activities.
“Through this collaboration, we are unlocking new opportunities for economic growth, job creation, and improved livelihoods across the country,” he added.
The initiative’s revolutionary potential was underlined by Afnan Hannan, CEO of Okra Solar, the top mesh-grid technology vendor, who stated: “Rural mesh-grids in Nigeria are already outperforming grid power reliability in major urban centres like Lagos and Abuja. This collaboration is about more than just connections—it’s about setting a new benchmark for energy access.
“With some of the most innovative RESCOs in the world, we’re pioneering scalable solutions that empower last-mile communities. This is a defining moment for energy access in Nigeria, and we are committed to achieving 100,000 connections and beyond,” he added.
Daniel Komolafe, Managing Director of First Electric Power and Automation Services, said: “Today, we reinforced our commitment to expanding energy access using mesh-grids across the hardest-to-reach communities in Nigeria.
“We’re aiming to connect 75,000 people under this agreement, marking a significant step forward in our mission to be a reliable energy access provider anywhere in Nigeria,” he added.
According to Hannah Kabir, CEO of Creeds Renewable Energy: “It is commendable to witness the progress being made in including mesh-grids in the technology mix for DARES. This ensures an inclusive distribution of energy access resources for communities.
“Creeds Energy will continue to build on its longstanding experience with deploying Okra mesh-grids to scale up energy access across off-grid areas in Nigeria,” he added.
