REA Restores Electricity to Kano Communities After 16 Years Without Power

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has restored electricity to two communities in Kano State after 16 years without power, following the commissioning of two mini-grid projects expected to serve 2,222 households.

The projects, located in Ballagaza and Marayar Rogo, were developed to expand electricity access in underserved communities and support local economic activities, particularly agriculture, small-scale businesses and essential public services.

The Managing Director of REA, Abba Aliyu, disclosed this during the commissioning of the projects, which comprise a 195-kilowatt-peak (kWp) mini-grid in Ballagaza and a 70kWp system in Marayar Rogo.

According to Aliyu, the projects form part of the Federal Government’s efforts to achieve its Renewed Hope Agenda target of providing electricity access to more than 17 million Nigerians. <Cite refs={[“turn952796news8″,”turn952796search1”]}/>

Public-Private Partnership Drives Rural Electrification

Aliyu described the projects as an example of how collaboration between the government and private investors can help address Nigeria’s electricity access challenges.

He explained that Alfuttaim Nigeria Limited financed and developed the mini-grids and would own and operate them over the long term. Government support through the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme, implemented by REA with World Bank support, subsidised part of the project costs to help keep electricity affordable.

The approach allows private investors to participate in rural power infrastructure while government-backed financing helps reduce the upfront cost of extending electricity to underserved communities.

Aliyu said the DARES programme was targeting the deployment of 1,350 mini-grids nationwide and had already delivered new or improved electricity access to more than five million Nigerians.

He added that expanding electricity access across the country would require sustained cooperation among government agencies, private companies and beneficiary communities. <Cite refs={[“turn952796news8″,”turn952796search2”]}/>

Electricity Expected to Boost Agriculture and Small Businesses

The new power supply is expected to improve economic activities in the beneficiary communities, particularly agricultural processing and small-scale manufacturing.

The surrounding area produces agricultural commodities such as groundnuts, millet, sorghum and soybeans, while residents also engage in traditional occupations including blacksmithing, weaving and dyeing.

With access to electricity, groundnut processors could operate electric machinery to produce groundnut oil and kuli-kuli, a popular Nigerian groundnut snack. This could help businesses increase production, improve processing efficiency and potentially secure better prices for their products.

Reliable electricity could also help other small enterprises reduce their dependence on costly alternative power sources and improve their operating capacity.

For rural entrepreneurs, access to dependable power is an important factor in expanding production, creating jobs and strengthening local value chains. <Cite refs={[“turn952796news8″,”turn952796search3”]}/>

Primary Healthcare Centre to Benefit from Power Supply

Beyond commercial activities, the project is expected to improve access to essential services by supplying electricity to a primary healthcare centre that previously operated without power.

Reliable electricity can support lighting, medical equipment and the storage of temperature-sensitive medical supplies, helping healthcare workers deliver services under better conditions.

The development highlights the broader social benefits of rural electrification, particularly in communities where limited access to power affects healthcare delivery, education and household welfare.

REA Calls for Protection of Electricity Infrastructure

Aliyu commended Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for prioritising electricity access and creating an enabling environment for the projects.

Meanwhile, Alfuttaim Nigeria Limited co-founder Nabilah Sani welcomed the completion of the mini-grids, noting their potential to improve household welfare and support agricultural productivity.

Sani disclosed that the two projects were among 10 sites being developed by the company in Kano State. She also urged residents to protect the infrastructure against vandalism to ensure its long-term sustainability. <Cite refs={[“turn952796news8″,”turn952796search6”]}/>

Outlook: Expanding Electricity Access Across Nigeria

The restoration of electricity to Ballagaza and Marayar Rogo demonstrates the potential of decentralised power systems to serve communities that have experienced prolonged electricity shortages.

Through mini-grids and private-sector investment, the REA and its partners are seeking to extend electricity access beyond conventional grid infrastructure while supporting local businesses and essential services.

However, the long-term success of the projects will depend on reliable operations, affordable electricity tariffs, proper infrastructure maintenance and sufficient power supply to meet growing demand.

As Nigeria continues to address its electricity access gap, rural electrification initiatives could play an important role in improving livelihoods, strengthening agricultural value chains and creating opportunities for economic growth.