REA, Jigawa Govt, Commodity Exchange Sign Agreement to Power 7 Industrial Clusters

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jigawa State government, the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX), and Astound Power Limited to deliver 7 MW of power.

The REA said the MoU, which was signed at the Jigawa Investment Summit (J-Invest 2026), would support a multi-state public–private partnership covering seven agro-industrial clusters in Jigawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Osun and Ebonyi states.

The agency said that under the agreement it would install energy infrastructure to power irrigation systems and processing facilities, and that the NCX would issue NCX-backed warehouse receipts to eligible farmers and aggregators for export.

Speaking during the MoU signing, the managing director of the REA, Dr Abba Aliyu who served as a lead panelist at the summit asserted that reliable electricity remains one of the most critical foundations for attracting investment, driving industrialisation, and generating jobs across Nigeria.

He noted that the MoU reflects a shared conviction that clean energy and agriculture must be integrated to effectively strengthen food security, create sustainable employment, and unlock greater economic value for local farmers and rural host communities.

He further emphasised that energy is the vital catalyst enabling businesses to scale and communities to prosper.

Whether powering agriculture, manufacturing, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), or rural businesses, he maintained that investment inherently follows both opportunity and institutional confidence.

“One of the strongest signals any government can send is a clear commitment to creating an environment where businesses can thrive,” he said.

The summit gathered policymakers, investors, development partners, and private sector leaders to discuss strategic pathways for unlocking sustainable economic growth across Jigawa State, with the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima officially declaring the conference open.