Jeff Bezos’ Bezos Earth Fund is working with the Rockefeller Foundation to establish a solar mini-grid scheme in Nigeria. This effort, part of the Global Energy Alliance for People and the Planet (GEAPP), aims to enhance the country’s intermittent power supply. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, continues to have over 86 million people without access to power.
The Bezos Earth Fund and Rockefeller Foundation will increase their efforts to promote renewable energy in Nigeria, building on their previous $22.8 million investment for African land restoration initiatives. This program has already seen the construction of the first interconnected mini-grid, with two more under progress and financing obtained for a fourth. The facilities, owned by private developers, provide dependable power to households and businesses, supplementing the limited electricity available from the national grid.
“We need hundreds, if not thousands, of these kinds of projects across Nigeria to end energy poverty,” said Muhammad Wakil, Geapp’s country delivery lead. The program seeks to pilot mini-grids in each of Nigeria’s 11 power distribution areas, with the ultimate goal of supporting the installation of 10 gigawatts of renewable energy mini-grids throughout the country.
Nigeria, home to 230 million people, is experiencing a serious energy crisis, with the national system supplying only 4,000 megawatts—roughly one-sixth of what is available in South Africa, which has a quarter of Nigeria’s population.
Power outages and system failures have become common occurrences, reducing productivity. Solar mini-grids, which provide 24/7 electricity, are a much-needed option for underprivileged populations.
The Ogun State mini-grid, created by Nigerian developer Darway Coast, will supply uninterrupted power to the local population, which currently receives only eight hours of power per day from Ikeja Electric Plc. This project, along with others, has received assistance from key worldwide institutions, notably the World Bank’s $130 million pledge for comparable developments.
Geapp’s Dart initiative helps developers cut solar equipment expenses by up to 30% by pooling resources. These mini-grids operate alongside the national grid, taking advantage of a new electrical act that encourages collaboration between public and commercial energy providers. “Instead of engaging them as competitors, it’s better to engage them as partners,” said Fatima Haliru, electricity acquisition manager at Ikeja Electric.
This strategy is gaining traction throughout Africa. The World Bank and the African Development Bank’s Mission 300 program have offered $30 billion to deliver power to 300 million people by 2030. Wakil states that the concept is mainly based on Nigeria’s mini-grid experience, with intentions to expand to 15 other African countries.
In addition to energy projects, Bezos has set aside $22.8 million for environmental restoration in the Greater Rift Valley, Lake Kivu, and Rusizi River Basin. This is part of the Bezos Earth Fund’s $1 billion worldwide restoration strategy, which includes 600,000 hectares of land. The projects seek to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 42 million metric tons by 2050, helping to combat climate change throughout Africa.
