UNIDO, China partner to expand Nigeria’s hydropower capacity

In a fresh push to tackle Nigeria’s electricity deficit and accelerate rural development, the Federal Government on Monday partnered with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and the Chinese government to launch a Small Hydropower Centre of Excellence in Abuja.

The initiative, funded by the China International Development Cooperation Agency, is designed to expand renewable energy capacity, deepen rural electrification, and support agro-industrial growth across underserved communities.

The project, the first of its kind in Nigeria and the West African sub-region, will be domiciled at the University of Abuja and is expected to serve as a regional hub for technical training, policy development, and knowledge transfer in small hydropower deployment.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Regional Director of UNIDO, Philbert Johnson, described energy as a critical driver of economic growth, noting that Nigeria’s vast renewable energy potential remains largely underutilised.

“It is a special privilege and great pleasure for me to be with you today at this crucial launch of the China International Development Cooperation Agency-funded project on ‘Establishment of a Small Hydro Power Centre of Excellence in Nigeria’. Energy is indeed a critical input for sustainable economic growth and industrial development,” he said.

Johnson added, “Energy is indeed a critical input for sustainable economic growth and industrial development. Fortunately, Nigeria is endowed with a tremendous amount of renewable energy resources such as hydropower, solar, biomass, and wind. Among these renewable energy sources, Small Hydropower holds great potential towards increasing access to affordable electricity and addressing climate change. Despite Nigeria’s substantial SHP potential, less than five per cent has been developed. This underdevelopment is mainly due to technical, financial, and policy barriers.”

He explained that the new centre was established to address these challenges and unlock the country’s untapped hydropower resources.

“The centre will serve as a hub for knowledge transfer, technical training, and policy guidance, benefiting not only Nigeria but the broader West African region,” he said.

According to him, the project will also promote hybrid energy solutions by integrating small hydropower with solar and wind technologies.

“It will support the integration of renewable energy systems, combining small hydropower with solar and wind to enhance energy resilience and sustainability,” Johnson stated.

He expressed optimism that the initiative would drive socio-economic transformation across rural communities.

“Through this initiative, Nigeria can harness its hydropower potential, improve rural electrification, and drive socio-economic growth, setting a model for similar projects across Africa,” he added.

Also speaking, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, described the project as a major step towards achieving inclusive energy access and economic resilience.

“Today’s event represents not just the commencement of a project, but a bold step forward in our collective journey towards sustainable energy access, rural transformation, and economic resilience,” the minister said.

“Small hydropower presents a unique opportunity to harness water resources in an environmentally sustainable manner while addressing the energy needs of rural communities and agro-industries,” he stated.

The minister added, “Energy is a critical enabler of agricultural value chains, from irrigation and processing to storage and distribution. By integrating small hydropower solutions into agro-industrial systems, we are enhancing food security, creating jobs, and stimulating rural economies.”

On governance, he stressed the importance of accountability in project execution.