The Federal Government has set a target to connect approximately 5.2 million Nigerians to electricity by June 2026 through a $750 million World Bank-supported initiative focused on expanding access via renewable energy solutions across the country.
The programme, known as the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES), is designed to accelerate electrification in underserved and unserved communities using decentralized energy systems, including solar mini-grids and standalone solar home solutions.
According to the latest Implementation Status and Results Report from the World Bank, the project is advancing steadily, with measurable progress already recorded in its rollout across multiple states. The initiative is being implemented in phases with a mix of public and private sector participation.
Brandspur Energy News Desk reports that the DARES programme has already delivered electricity access to over 3.6 million people, placing it on track to achieve its interim target of 5.2 million beneficiaries by mid-2026, ahead of its broader long-term objectives.
The report indicates that only about 9 per cent of the total $750 million financing has been disbursed so far, while approximately $422.2 million has been committed to various components of the project. This suggests ongoing financial mobilisation and implementation across different intervention areas.
The project, approved in December 2023, aims to expand electricity access for households and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through private sector-led distributed renewable energy systems. These systems are intended to complement the national grid by providing reliable power to remote and off-grid communities.
Key components of the programme include the deployment of solar hybrid mini-grids, standalone solar home systems, and technical assistance to strengthen institutional and regulatory capacity within Nigeria’s energy sector.
As of March 2026, renewable energy capacity under the project has reached 38.76 megawatts, with a long-term target of 465 megawatts. Thousands of households and businesses have already been connected through these solutions, contributing to improved energy access in rural and peri-urban areas.
The World Bank report also highlighted that the project is expected to surpass earlier benchmarks under its “Mission 300” framework, which targeted 3.2 million beneficiaries by the end of the financial year. The current trajectory suggests that implementation is ahead of schedule in certain aspects.
Despite the progress, the report classified the overall project risk as “substantial,” citing macroeconomic pressures, governance constraints, and institutional capacity challenges that could affect delivery timelines and outcomes. These risks underscore the complexity of implementing large-scale infrastructure projects in emerging markets.
The DARES programme is scheduled to run through December 2028, with total funding distributed across multiple financing windows under the International Development Association. Its long-term objective is to provide electricity access to more than 16 million people while supporting economic activities for households and small businesses.
Nigeria continues to rely significantly on concessional financing from multilateral institutions to support infrastructure development. Data from the Debt Management Office shows that the country’s exposure to the World Bank Group remains substantial, reflecting its role as a key development partner in financing energy and other critical sectors.
The renewable energy initiative is expected to play a vital role in bridging Nigeria’s electricity access gap, improving living standards, and supporting economic growth through expanded access to reliable and sustainable power solutions.
