UNDP Nigeria/Amalachikwu Ibeneme
ABUJA – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) today announced a landmark partnership aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s clean energy transition, fostering innovation, and building a future-ready workforce. This strategic collaboration will focus on key areas, including education, skills development, policy reform, and innovative financing to deliver sustainable and inclusive development.
The signing ceremony, held in Abuja, highlighted a shared commitment to leveraging clean energy as a catalyst for economic growth and human development across Nigeria. The partnership will unlock synergies between UNDP’s global development expertise and REA’s mandate to electrify unserved and underserved communities.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria stated that, “This collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency is a bold step toward a more sustainable and prosperous Nigeria. Our partnership will not only provide access to clean energy but also serve as a powerful engine for innovation, youth empowerment, and job creation. We are moving beyond simply powering communities to igniting their full potential.”
Mr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, the MD/CEO of REA noted that “as long-term partners, the strategic collaboration between the REA and the UNDP is a game-changer, deliberately designed for Nigeria’s clean energy future, especially with the ongoing renewable energy scale-up efforts being driven by the Federal Government”. Abba added that “the REA-UNDP partnership pillars are specifically targeted at advancing ongoing efforts in the clean energy space in Nigeria, catalyzing opportunities across critical ecosystems and unlocking the full potentials in innovation, R&D, local expertise and sustainable investment”.
REA-UNDP five-pillar partnership for transformative impact
The agreement outlines five key areas of collaboration:
•Energizing Education and Innovation: The partnership will integrate UNDP’s University Innovation Pods (UNIPODS) and Maker Spaces into REA’s Energizing Education Programme (EEP). This will transform federal universities and teaching hospitals into hubs of innovation, providing students with the resources to develop practical skills and build solutions for local and national challenges.
•Scaling the NEXTGEN Initiative: UNDP will support the expansion of REA’s NEXTGEN initiative, a critical program designed to train a new generation of clean energy professionals. This collaboration will create a national pipeline of talent, address youth unemployment and equipping young Nigerians with the skills needed to thrive in the growing clean energy sector.
•State-Level Policy and Technical Support: The partnership will provide crucial support for the effective implementation of the new Electricity Act. Through state-to-state engagements, UNDP and REA will offer technical assistance and policy guidance to help subnational governments navigate the new regulatory framework and develop harmonized energy policies.
•Mobilizing Innovative Financing: Recognizing the need for sustainable funding, the partners will explore innovative solutions to unlock development financing, private capital, and business partnerships. UNDP’s expertise in blended finance will be leveraged to de-risk projects, attract investment, and ensure the long-term sustainability of clean energy projects, including institutional strengthening and capitalizing the Rural Electrification Fund (REF).
•Strategic Research and Communication: The collaboration will advance joint research, knowledge generation, and communication efforts to inform policy decisions and build public awareness. Producing regular robust data and evidence on sustainable energy progress, will ensure that interventions are targeted and impactful, while also showcasing successes to build public support for the clean energy access and transition in Nigeria.
This strategic partnership reflects UNDP’s ongoing commitment to supporting state-level development that is inclusive, resilient, and driven by local leadership. By joining forces, UNDP and REA are poised to accelerate progress toward Nigeria’s energy and development goals, creating a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
