In a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s power sector, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has sought the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) assistance in co-financing the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up Project (DARES).
This initiative, backed by a $750 million World Bank fund and implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), aims to provide electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians.
Adelabu made this request during a strategic three-day visit to Japan, where a high-level Nigerian delegation engaged with Japanese energy leaders, policymakers, and industry experts. The visit aimed to bolster bilateral energy partnerships, enhance grid reliability, and explore cutting-edge solutions for Nigeria’s power challenges.
“The visit resulted in the identification and advancement of key initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s power sector,” the REA stated on Saturday. Among these were short-term grid reliability measures leveraging Japan’s expertise and JICA’s potential $200 million co-financing support for DARES, part of a broader strategy to attract over $1 billion in private capital.
The delegation also examined Japan’s electricity market structure, energy trading systems, and grid management strategies. Adelabu and his team held discussions with Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry to explore long-term investment opportunities.
“This collaboration lays the foundation for future partnerships, technology transfer, and capacity building,” the statement added. Adelabu reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging these insights to drive a sustainable and resilient power sector.
