Clean energy: Game-changer for Nigeria?

• Date: 01 October 2020
• Author: Sesan, Temilade

Nigeria is the biggest and most attractive off-grid opportunity in Africa, and one of the best locations in the world for minigrids and solar home systems. The International Trade Forum talked with Prof. Temilade Sesan about small businesses, women in agriculture and the role multilateral institutions can play in promoting clean energy across the country.

What is Nigeria's market potential for clean energy?

Nigeria's market potential for clean energy is vast. The national electricity grid, mostly fossil-based, only serves 57% of the country's population, leaving a huge supply gap. Longstanding subsidies on grid electricity are being removed while capital grants and low-interest loans are being provided for clean energy investments, making the latter increasingly competitive.

There is a real opportunity to build a new culture of dependence on clean energy technologies, especially among the 70% of rural dwellers nationwide not connected to any form of electricity. This is already happening on a small scale - for example, solar lanterns are replacing kerosene lamps in rural and urban areas alike with a new generation of robust technologies and intensive marketing to the last mile. Adopting a similar approach to integrating larger-scale, green technologies could boost their acceptance among users.

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