The Federal Government has said that the roll out of five million new solar power connections in off-grid communities will generate an additional N7bn in tax revenues annually to Nigeria.
According to the government, the programme is also expected to generate $10m in annual import substitution for the country.
This was disclosed in a press briefing by the Managing Director of the Federal Government-owned Rural Electrification Agency, Ahmad Salihijo , at the Solar Power Nigeria Programme in Abuja.
Salihijo on Tuesday told journalist that the solar connection scheme would expand energy access to 25 million individuals through the provision of Solar Home Systems or connection to a mini-grid.
He said the initiative would also help address the challenge of access to affordable finance through a Central Bank of Nigeria facility.
According to him, the facility would make low-cost local currency debt available to qualified companies, adding that the programme would increase local content in the off-grid solar value chain and facilitate the growth of the local manufacturing and assembly industry.
He said, “Private companies will be supported to employ more Nigerians to be able to provide services in the area of manufacturing, distribution, installation and other project management and after-sales services.
“The programme also supports manufacturers and assemblers of solar technology to set up production facilities in Nigeria, in order to support the off-grid energy sector with about 250,000 new jobs.”
Salihijo added that companies involved in the assembly/manufacturing of components of off-grid solar solutions must be 70 per cent Nigerian owned as the programme was meant to facilitate and spur local productivity.
“As the implementing agency of this programme under the able supervision of the Federal Ministry of Power, we are delighted that this programme has come to fruition,” he stated.
The REA boss called on other stakeholders from government agencies, donor partners and private sector operators to support the agency in achieving the huge task of delivering five million connections to 25 million Nigerians.
