The Federal Government has announced plans to adopt Egypt’s model for power generation and transmission, citing the North African country as a benchmark for success in the energy sector.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this during a recent meeting in Abuja with the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Fouad. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in energy expansion, with particular emphasis on renewable energy and rural electrification.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Adelabu’s spokesperson, Bolaji Tunji, the minister commended Egypt’s achievements in the energy sector, describing the country as a role model in energy infrastructure development.
“Egypt has made remarkable strides in energy transformation, and we are eager to collaborate and learn from your expertise,” Adelabu said. “Our goal is to ensure reliable, stable, and affordable energy access for all Nigerians.”
He highlighted Nigeria’s interest in replicating Egypt’s success in energy generation, transmission, and distribution. He also referenced Nigeria’s engagement with Siemens as part of efforts to stabilise the country’s power sector.
Adelabu underscored the government’s commitment to expanding electricity access in rural areas, acknowledging the economic challenges of extending the national grid to remote regions.
“Many rural areas cannot be connected to the grid due to economic constraints, but we cannot neglect them,” he stated. “Through our renewable energy programme, we are bridging this gap. We have secured significant investments, including $750 million from the World Bank’s DARES project and an additional $190 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency to support this initiative.”
He also highlighted Nigeria’s abundant renewable energy potential, including solar, wind, and hydroelectric resources, stressing the government’s resolve to harness these resources for sustainable energy access.
In response, Fouad welcomed the partnership, expressing Egypt’s readiness to collaborate with Nigeria in addressing critical energy challenges such as closing the metering gap and improving energy access.
“Nigeria and Egypt have much in common, and there is immense potential for collaboration in the energy sector,” Fouad said. “We are committed to working together to achieve sustainable energy solutions for both countries.”
The collaboration is expected to enhance Nigeria’s energy infrastructure, improve electricity access, and bolster the country’s renewable energy capacity, marking a significant step towards achieving energy security.
