By Jean Marie Takouleu
NIGERIA: Rogeap is launched to provide access to electricity via green mini-grids ©REA
The Nigerian part of the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP) was officially launched on 19 July 2022 in Abuja, Nigeria.
This regional project aims at electrification through mini-grids powered by renewable energy.
The Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP) was officially launched in Nigeria. This was done during a workshop organised on 19 July 2022 in the Nigerian capital Abudja by the ROGEAP Management Unit, in the presence of representatives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, as well as officials from the Nigerian Ministry of Energy and several commercial banks.
“The objective of ECOWAS and its partners through ROGEAP is to help member states establish an enabling framework to develop the off-grid solar energy market and to promote access to this type of energy through increased private sector participation and financing,” explains Sylla Elhadji, ROGEAP’s Senior Advisor.
A project implemented in 19 countries
This regional initiative is being launched in Nigeria at a time when Abuja is focusing on off-grid solar systems to increase access to electricity in the country or to meet the energy demands of its businesses. Indeed, the ongoing Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) is deploying solar-powered mini-grids and solar home systems mainly in rural areas, with funding from the World Bank.
The Nigerian government’s commitment to the implementation of ROGEAP is expected to contribute to the increase in the electricity access rate, currently estimated at 36% by Power Africa. Initiated by Ecowas in 2017, ROGEAP aims to increase access to sustainable electricity services in the 15 member countries of the sub-regional organisation and four other African countries for households, commercial enterprises, public health, education and community infrastructure through stand-alone solar systems “and all in a harmonised regional approach”?
A $338 million investment
The project is managed by a Rogeap Steering Committee composed of representatives of the Ecowas Commission, the West African Development Bank (WADB) and the World Bank. The overall implementation of Rogeap will require an investment of US$ 338.7 million. Ecowas has already secured funding guarantees from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and the Dutch Cooperation (DGIS).
The Ecowas Commission, through its Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) and BOAD, is in charge of the implementation of the project respectively for the development of a regional market and access to financing for stand-alone solar systems.
