Nigeria connects nearly 6 million people to power via mini-grids and solar systems, despite retaining the world’s highest electricity access gap

Nigeria’s renewable energy access has expanded significantly, connecting nearly six million people to power through more than 170 mini-grids and 1.2 million stand-alone solar systems, according to a new World Bank report.

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This progress comes amid the country’s continuing struggle with the world’s largest electricity access gap.

The report, Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2025, highlights Nigeria as a continental leader in decentralised energy adoption. Despite its failing central grid, Nigeria’s rapid embrace of solar and mini-grid technology has begun to reshape energy access in off-grid communities.

“These technologies provide reliable, clean, and affordable power, offering faster deployment and supporting local economic development,” the report noted.

It attributes the surge in electrification to Mission 300, a global initiative designed to accelerate access through decentralised energy solutions.

Between 2022 and 2024, Nigeria nearly doubled its average number of connections per mini-grid, growing from 244 to 458. This expansion reflects increased investor confidence, improved regulatory conditions, and greater concessional financing.

The Africa Mini-Grid Developers Association (AMDA) praised Nigeria’s leadership, stating, “Nigeria is leading the shift toward markets with enabling financial and regulatory frameworks.”

AMDA also revealed that 27 mini-grid developers created over 6,000 jobs in rural communities during the last four years, contributing to economic inclusion.

While costs of mini-grid deployment have fallen globally, Sub-Saharan Africa still faces steep capital expenses. The report blamed high logistics costs and weak infrastructure.

However, it noted that improving supply chains, achieving economies of scale, and tax reforms could lower these costs across Nigeria.

Despite the encouraging progress, challenges remain. Nigeria still has 86.8 million people without electricity—the highest figure globally. For the third straight year, the country retained its position as the epicentre of global electricity poverty.

This contradicts a recent claim by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who stated that 150 million Nigerians now enjoy adequate electricity, with only 80 million lacking reliable supply.

The report counters this, noting that just 61 per cent of the population had electricity access last year, while access to clean cooking energy stood at 26 per cent.

The World Bank also revealed a major rise in Nigeria’s clean energy funding. In 2023 alone, Nigeria received \$829 million in international public support, ranking fifth globally. This marked a sharp rise from its previous position outside the top 30.

A large share of this funding, about \$698 million, came from the World Bank’s Distributed Access Through Renewable Energy Scale-Up Project. An additional \$35 million grant from the European Union supports the development of solar PV and hydro projects for agro-industrial zones.

Nevertheless, the report warns that regulatory bottlenecks and slow disbursement of donor funds continue to threaten momentum. More than \$9 billion in concessional capital has been pledged globally in recent years, but actual disbursement has been slow and inconsistent.

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The report concluded that addressing bureaucracy, improving financing strategies, and reinforcing investor confidence are key to closing Nigeria’s energy gap and realising its full clean energy potential.