The Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP) held a forum on September 26, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria. The event aimed to raise awareness and mobilize Nigerian stakeholders regarding the electrification of public infrastructure such as health centers and schools. This initiative is part of ROGEAP's broader mandate to implement sustainable energy solutions across Nigeria and 18 other states within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Sahel region.
Funded by the World Bank, ROGEAP has tasked a consortium with developing commercial and financial models for rural health centers and schools' electrification in Benin and Nigeria. This effort involves collaboration with federal ministries responsible for electricity, finance, education, and health. The project also seeks to engage the private sector with support from agencies like the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).
The forum's primary objective was to re-engage stakeholders in Nigeria to ensure that ROGEAP fulfills its mandate concerning completing a feasibility study for energizing public institutions. Participants discussed creating a roadmap for the Technical Committee to conduct this study effectively. They also addressed obtaining necessary national certificates from NERC and NEMSA to facilitate this process.
In his welcome address, ROGEAP Coordinator Mr. Sylla Elhadji outlined the project's missions and objectives. He emphasized that "the aim of the ROGEAP project is to increase access to electricity for households, businesses, and public institutions using modern stand-alone solar technology through a harmonized regional approach."
Mr. Sylla further explained that the project was renamed ROGEAP after being restructured and approved by the World Bank on March 11, 2021. ECOWAS and BOAD serve as executing agencies for this initiative financed by multiple sources including the World Bank, Clean Technology Fund (CTF), and Netherlands Government’s Directorate General for International Cooperation (DGIS). It contributes directly to ECOWAS's goal of universal electricity access by 2030 under its Regional Renewable Energy Policy (PREAO).
Representatives from various Nigerian federal ministries commended ECOWAS and its partners during their speeches at the opening ceremony. They acknowledged efforts made towards providing reliable, sustainable, modern energy services at an affordable cost.
Attendees included representatives from several Nigerian public institutions such as Federal Ministries of Finance; Power; Education; Health; Social Welfare; REA; NERC; NEMSA; along with members from Nigeria's Solar/Clean Energy Private Sector.
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