Niger Partners Islamic Bank For $163M Solar Electrification Project

Niger State Government has entered into an agreement of $163 million with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) for the implementation of the Niger State Solar Electrification Project.

LEADERSHIP learnt that the project will be the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa, covering 200 hectares of land at a cost of $163m to provide an alternative power source for many communities.

The state Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, as part of the partnership, received the preparation Mission team for the  State Solar Electrification Project code code-named  NGA1063, yesterday in Minna

He said, the State Government has spent and invested a lot in the agricultural sector, pointing out that the Solar electrification project will complement in terms of food production and industrialisation to bolster the Agro value chain

Bago acknowledged the vital roles the Islamic Development Bank has played in the State through various intervention projects, adding that the Bank’s decision to build 100 megawatts of solar power in the State was a major investment that will help increase productivity and revenue generation, and will pay for itself.

They also admitted that the electrification project would address multi-sectoral issues.

While appreciating the Islamic Development Bank for the sustained partnership, the governor said the state would ensure that it maintains all the projects, as it remains positioned to harness its potential in renewable energy.

The Task Team Lead, Daniyar Abylkhan, disclosed that the Bank would depend on abundant sunlight in Niger State to generate solar power and commended the Governor’s initiative to diversify energy sources to meet the needs of the people.

Mr Abylkhan said the IsDB is in a long-standing development partnership with Niger state, having entered agreement with the state in the reconstruction of the Minna/Bida road, adding that the level of success of the project so far is one of the major reasons why the IsDB wants to always come back to the State for more partnerships.