Mohammed Shosanya
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Africa Mini-Grid Developers Association (AMDA),Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate mini-grid development in Nigeria.
The MoU will focus on knowledge sharing, capacity building, and better coordination of the sector, amongst other initiatives.
The agency said,as part of the REA’s Vision and Strategic Roadmap, the it has, over the years expanded its partnership portfolio, while collaborating with forward-leaning stakeholders across the off-grid energy value chain.
It also said,with the pivotal role and sustained impact of AMDA in Africa’s renewable energy space, the REA – AMDA partnership is a significant step forward for the mini-grid sector in Nigeria as it underscores a shared commitment to research, data-driven decision-making, and the establishment of robust industry standards.
It said that the strategic approach is pivotal in ensuring the sustainable, secure, and optimal operation of mini-grid systems, thereby contributing to the overall energy landscape in Nigeria.
It added:”With a partnership now sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding, the REA and AMDA will collaborate on a non-exclusive basis to further advance access to sustainable electricity for Nigerians and other African countries through mini-grids and decentralized utilities, and ultimately achieve universal access to energy by the year 2030″ stated the statement made available to newsmen by management of REA, to announce the MoU”.
It said that while improving data-driven decision-making and industry knowledge in the off-grid space, the MoU is targeted at promoting sustainable energy access for unserved and underserved communities through private sector development and financing, which will ultimately enhance policies/regulations and rapid deployment of renewable energy technologies.
Speaking on the strategic alliance between both institutions, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, MD/CEO of REA expressed enthusiasm stating:”We are excited to partner with AMDA to further improve the development of mini-grids in Nigeria while deepening the impact of RE solutions for socio-economic growth. This MOU will further aid the accelerated deployment of mini-grids and provide clean, sustainable, and affordable electricity to more Nigerians.”
Mr. Olamide Niyi-Afuye, CEO of AMDA, also emphasized their dedication to collaborating with REA in nurturing the mini-grid sector in Nigeria. “Mini-grids have the potential to transform the lives of millions of Nigerians, and this partnership is a step in the right direction. AMDA is committed to working with all stakeholders to create an enabling environment for the minigrid sector to scale and achieve sustainability.”
