ECOWAS AND THE NIGERIAN RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AGENCY JOIN FORCES TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO OFF-GRID ENERGY IN NIGER STATE

Abuja, Nigeria, 23 February 2026: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) of Nigeria have formalised their collaboration by signing a memorandum of understanding under the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Pilot Programme (ROGEAP). This partnership aims to ensure a stable and sustainable electricity supply to essential public infrastructure, including primary health centres and schools in Niger State, located in north-central Nigeria.

This initiative aims to expand access to energy in rural and underserved areas, improve the quality of basic social services, and promote more inclusive socio-economic development. At the signing ceremony, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr Omar Alieu Touray, emphasised that electricity is a key driver of development. He stressed that the electrification of rural areas stimulates economic growth and reinforces social progress, emphasising the strategic importance of this initiative for the Republic of Niger, which faces a significant energy shortfall.

For his part, the Executive Governor of Niger State, Umar Bago, welcomed this cooperation, highlighting the crucial role of a reliable electricity supply in implementing the state’s development priorities. He also expressed his desire to extend collaboration with ECOWAS to other key sectors such as education and agriculture. Finally, the CEO of the REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, highlighted the scale of energy shortages on the African continent, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and West Africa. He described this partnership as a strategic and timely response to regional challenges relating to access to electricity.