Nigeria / Japan: Nigeria is in discussions with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for a $238 M loan to expand its national electricity grid. The talks took place during the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, attended by President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
The proposed financing will add 102.95 km of 330 kV double circuit lines, 104.59 km of 132 kV double circuit lines, four 330 / 132 / 33 kV substations, two 132 / 33 kV substations, and several bay extensions. The expansion aims to improve reliability, reduce losses and strengthen transmission capacity.
In parallel, Nigeria is also advancing a $190 M renewable energy facility with JICA to scale distributed solutions across underserved communities, complementing the World Bank’s $750 M DARES programme. Together, these initiatives are expected to provide clean and reliable power to millions of Nigerians.
Three substations funded through a $32 M JICA grant are nearing commissioning in Apo, Keffi and Apapa, delivering improved supply to households, industries and critical facilities such as Lagos Port.
Adelabu also confirmed that JICA has supported new training equipment at the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, designed to strengthen local engineering skills and reduce network losses.
Only around 60 % of Nigeria’s 200 million people currently have electricity access. The government said its dual strategy of expanding the grid while accelerating solar mini-grids and off-grid systems is aimed at closing this gap.
President Tinubu stressed that Nigeria’s engagement at TICAD 9 was focused on securing strategic partnerships that deliver tangible results for citizens.
Source: Channels TV
