The Federal Government and the World Bank are ramping up efforts to deliver electricity to millions of underserved Nigerians, with plans to connect 5.2 million people by June 2026 through the $750 million Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme.


The initiative, being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), seeks to accelerate electricity access through the deployment of solar hybrid mini-grids and standalone solar home systems, particularly in rural and peri-urban communities that remain beyond the reach of the national grid.


The target was disclosed as implementation of the programme gathers momentum, with recent project updates showing that more than 3.6 million Nigerians had already gained access to electricity under DARES as of March 2026. The progress positions the programme to meet its near-term electrification goals while supporting Nigeria’s broader energy access and transition objectives.

Approved by the World Bank in December 2023, the DARES programme is designed to unlock private sector investment in decentralized renewable energy infrastructure while reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuel-powered generators. The project is expected to improve electricity supply for households, schools, health centres and small businesses, many of which currently face unreliable or non-existent grid power.


Beyond expanding access, the programme is projected to stimulate economic activity in underserved communities by lowering energy costs and enabling productive uses of electricity. Thousands of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are expected to benefit from cleaner and more reliable power, boosting productivity and job creation.


Renewable energy installations under the project have continued to grow, with solar mini-grids and standalone systems contributing to an expanding clean energy footprint across the country. The long-term plan includes the deployment of more than 1,200 mini-grids and over one million standalone solar systems, helping to bridge Nigeria’s significant electricity access gap.

Energy sector analysts say the programme reflects a growing shift toward decentralized energy solutions as a practical means of electrifying remote communities faster than traditional grid expansion. They note that mini-grids and solar home systems are increasingly becoming critical tools for achieving universal electricity access across sub-Saharan Africa.


While implementation challenges remain, including macroeconomic pressures and funding constraints, the Federal Government and its development partners are optimistic that the DARES programme will significantly improve energy access. With a target of reaching more than 16 million Nigerians by 2028, the initiative is expected to rank among the largest renewable energy access programmes on the African continent.