In a bid to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to renewable energy and improve electricity access, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has sought the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to co-finance the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) Project.
The initiative, backed by a $750 million World Bank fund, is expected to provide electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
During a high-level delegation visit to Japan, Adelabu and key Nigerian power sector stakeholders engaged with Japanese energy leaders, policymakers, and industry experts.
The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral energy partnerships, improving grid reliability, and securing investment in Nigeria’s power infrastructure.
As part of efforts to attract over $1 billion in private and development financing, the Nigerian government is seeking $200 million from JICA to support the DARES Project.
The visit also provided an opportunity to explore Japan’s expertise in enhancing grid stability and resilience, particularly through advanced operations and maintenance strategies.
Beyond immediate interventions, both countries laid the groundwork for deeper cooperation in energy infrastructure, technology transfer, and capacity building.
Adelabu and his team held further technical discussions with Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, where both parties explored ways to strengthen economic and energy sector collaboration.
The engagement marks a significant step in Nigeria’s push for sustainable energy solutions, with a strong emphasis on leveraging international partnerships to drive economic growth and expand electricity access.
