Nigeria is targeting the connection of 5.2 million people to electricity by June 2026 under a $750 million renewable energy programme backed by the World Bank.
The initiative is being implemented under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme, which focuses on increasing electricity supply to households and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through private sector-led systems.
According to recent project updates published by the World Bank, implementation is progressing, with early results already recorded across several indicators tied to electricity access and renewable energy deployment.
The programme has so far provided electricity access to more than 3.6 million people, positioning it on track to meet its near-term target.
The June 2026 milestone represents an upward revision from earlier projections, reflecting faster-than-expected rollout in certain areas.
The DARES initiative is structured to address long-standing gaps in Nigeria’s power sector by promoting distributed renewable energy systems. These include solar hybrid mini-grids designed for communities, as well as standalone solar solutions for households and small businesses.
The approach is expected to reduce reliance on the national grid, which continues to face capacity and distribution constraints, while also supporting energy access in underserved and off-grid locations.
Project funding is being deployed across multiple components, including infrastructure development, technical support and capacity building aimed at strengthening implementation and regulatory frameworks.
Available data indicates that a portion of the total programme funding has already been disbursed, with a significant share committed to ongoing and pipeline projects. This reflects a gradual scaling of activities as execution expands across different regions.
In addition to improving electricity access, the programme is contributing to renewable energy capacity growth. Installed capacity under the initiative has increased, with further expansion expected as new systems are deployed.
The intervention also seeks to stimulate private sector participation in Nigeria’s energy market by creating opportunities for developers, service providers and financiers involved in distributed power solutions.
Despite recorded progress, the project continues to face operational risks linked to macroeconomic conditions, institutional capacity and governance challenges. These factors remain critical to the pace and sustainability of implementation.
The programme, approved in late 2023, is scheduled to run through 2028, with long-term targets extending beyond immediate connection goals to broader improvements in electricity access and energy infrastructure.
