In a bid to advance the Federal Government’s strategic approach towards accelerated deployment of Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) infrastructure for socioeconomic growth, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the nation’s implementing agency for renewable energy and off-grid electrification has announced a number of strategic partnerships. One of the key partnerships was with Australian company Okra Solar and a number of top Nigerian Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs) to energize 100,000 underserved homes impacting approximately half a million people with mesh-grid technology.
This collaboration is a significant milestone in the REA’s broader mission to electrify over 3 million households through the Distributed Access to Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) program within the next five years. Under this partnership, Okra Solar, alongside five RESCOs—SOSAI Renewable Energies Company, First Electric, Renewvia Energy, Creeds, and Electrify Microgrid—will deploy mesh-grids to provide sustainable energy solutions to communities that have historically been left in the dark. These RESCOs are among the most innovative companies in Nigeria today, dedicated to energizing underserved communities and leveraging advanced technology in order to achieve their goals.
DARES, a $750 million program funded by the World Bank, is the world’s largest energy access initiative. For the first time, a government grant program explicitly includes mesh-grid technology, enabling even the most remote communities to access sustainable energy. The RESCOs will share data with the REA, which in turn will foster an enabling environment for mesh-grids and these companies to scale their impact effectively across Nigeria.
By leveraging modular mesh-grid technology, this collaboration aims to reach the hardest-to-electrify communities where traditional grid extensions and mini-grids are not viable. Mesh-grids offer a rapid deployment model with lower capital expenditures, delivering 98%+ uptime—surpassing industry standards—and providing up to 2.4kW of AC power to support productive uses such as water pumping, refrigeration, milling, and electric cooking.
The partnership prioritizes long-term impact, financial sustainability, and scalability, ensuring that these electrification projects continue to serve communities well beyond the duration of the grant program.
Managing Director/CEO of the REA, Abba Aliyu Abubakar, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to strategic partnerships and innovative solutions that drive clean energy deployment. He stated, “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.”
Afnan Hannan, CEO of Okra Solar, the leading mesh-grid technology provider, emphasized the transformative impact of the initiative: “Rural mesh-grids in Nigeria are already outperforming grid power reliability in major urban centers 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.”
Daniel Komolafe, Managing Director of First Electric Power and Automation Services, remarked, “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.”
Hannah Kabir, CEO of Creeds Renewable Energy, added, “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.”
As the implementation unfolds, the REA and its partners remain committed to delivering on the objectives of this collaboration. By connecting 100,000 households, they will closely monitor critical metrics such as reliability, tariffs, consumption, and socio-economic impact to ensure mesh-grid technology continues to drive transformative energy access solutions for Nigeria’s most remote communities.
