Nigeria is accelerating its energy transition agenda with a target of generating 209,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity from solar power by 2050, backed by about $11 billion in renewable energy investments.
A report by IIR revealed that 53 large-scale solar power projects are currently underway across the country, reflecting growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector and efforts to expand electricity access, especially in underserved communities.
The projects are part of a broader strategy to diversify Nigeria’s energy mix and strengthen long-term power supply through cleaner energy sources, with solar power expected to drive most future capacity growth.
To improve electricity access, the Federal Government is also expanding solar mini-grids and off-grid systems through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). More than 1,300 solar mini-grids and off-grid power systems are being deployed nationwide, including 250 interconnected mini-grids designed to support the national grid and reduce reliance on diesel generators.
The initiative is supported by $750 million in public funding and is expected to attract an additional $1.1 billion in private sector investment.
REA Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, described the programme as the world’s largest publicly funded renewable electricity project, noting that it is expected to support the deployment of 1,350 mini-grids and provide electricity access to about 17.5 million Nigerians within three years.
Nigeria has already installed over 1,000 mini-grids nationwide and is advancing its Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up programme, supported by the World Bank. The initiative aims to expand rural electrification through solar mini-grids, standalone systems and energy storage solutions while replacing more than 250,000 diesel generators.
According to the Global Solar Council, Nigeria added 803MW of solar capacity in 2025, bringing total installed solar capacity to about 1,019MW.
While gas-fired plants remain the country’s primary source of electricity, renewable energy currently contributes about 23 per cent of Nigeria’s energy mix. The Federal Government aims to increase this share to 30 per cent by 2030 and 82 per cent by 2050 as part of its energy transition strategy and net-zero emissions target for 2060.
Solar power is expected to remain at the centre of the plan, with Nigeria targeting 209,000MW of installed solar capacity by 2050.
