Key points
- Nigeria is pursuing 53 large-scale solar power projects valued at approximately $11 billion as part of plans to expand electricity generation capacity.
- The Federal Government aims to achieve 209,000 megawatts of installed solar power capacity by 2050 while increasing renewable energy’s contribution to the national energy mix.
- More than 1,300 solar mini-grids and off-grid systems are being deployed nationwide to improve electricity access in underserved communities.
Main story
Nigeria is ramping up investments in renewable energy with plans to achieve 209,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity generation capacity by 2050, driven by 53 large-scale solar power projects valued at an estimated $11 billion, according to a new industry report.
The report by IIR revealed that the projects are currently being tracked across the country and form a critical component of Nigeria’s long-term energy transition strategy aimed at diversifying electricity generation and improving access to reliable power.
The solar projects, which are at various stages of development, underscore growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector and are expected to significantly boost electricity supply, particularly as the country seeks to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
Alongside utility-scale solar investments, the Federal Government is accelerating rural electrification through the deployment of more than 1,300 solar mini-grids and off-grid power systems under programmes coordinated by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
The initiative includes 250 interconnected mini-grids designed to feed electricity directly into the national grid, improving power stability while reducing reliance on diesel-powered generators in rural and underserved communities.
According to the REA, the programme is supported by $750 million in public funding and is expected to attract an additional $1.1 billion in private sector investment.
Managing Director of the REA, Abba Aliyu, described the initiative as one of the largest publicly funded renewable energy projects globally, noting that it is expected to provide electricity access to approximately 17.5 million Nigerians within three years.
Aliyu said the Federal Government was deliberately positioning renewable energy as a viable alternative source of electricity, leveraging the country’s abundant solar resources to drive economic growth and energy security.
Nigeria has already recorded notable progress in the sector, with more than 1,000 mini-grids deployed nationwide, over half of which were financed through REA interventions.
Data from the Global Solar Council shows that Nigeria added 803MW of solar capacity in 2025 alone, bringing the country’s total installed solar capacity to about 1,019MW.
The renewable energy expansion aligns with broader continental initiatives such as the World Bank-backed Mission 300 programme, which seeks to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.
The issues
Nigeria continues to face a significant electricity deficit despite being Africa’s largest economy, with millions of households and businesses lacking reliable access to power.
The country’s electricity generation remains heavily dependent on gas-fired power plants, while transmission and distribution challenges continue to constrain supply.
Frequent grid collapses, inadequate infrastructure, and reliance on expensive diesel generators have increased the cost of doing business and limited economic productivity.
Experts argue that accelerating investments in renewable energy, particularly solar power, offers a sustainable pathway to expanding electricity access while supporting climate commitments and reducing carbon emissions.
What’s being said
The Rural Electrification Agency says renewable energy has become the most economically viable option for rapidly increasing electricity access across Nigeria.
According to Aliyu, President Bola Tinubu’s administration is positioning Nigeria to become Africa’s renewable energy hub through strategic investments in solar infrastructure and decentralised power solutions.
Industry stakeholders have also welcomed the growing influx of investment into the renewable energy sector, describing it as essential for addressing longstanding power shortages and stimulating industrial growth.
The Global Solar Council noted that Nigeria’s recent solar deployment figures reflect increasing momentum in the country’s clean energy transition.
What’s next
The Federal Government is expected to continue implementing its Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) programme, supported by the World Bank, to expand solar mini-grid installations and replace more than 250,000 diesel generators nationwide.
Authorities will also focus on attracting additional private-sector investment to support the development of large-scale solar projects and grid infrastructure.
As part of its Energy Transition Plan, Nigeria aims to increase renewable energy’s share of the national energy mix to 30 per cent by 2030 and 82 per cent by 2050, while working towards its net-zero emissions target by 2060.
Bottom line
Nigeria’s ambitious plan to achieve 209,000MW of solar power capacity by 2050 represents one of the most significant renewable energy transformations on the African continent. While considerable challenges remain, the combination of large-scale solar investments, mini-grid deployment, and supportive government policies could reshape the country’s electricity landscape, expand energy access for millions, and position Nigeria as a leading renewable energy hub in Africa.
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