This archive report was first published on 3 December 2019.
On December 3, 2019, the Nigerian government announced a significant step towards addressing its rural electrification challenges by awarding $75 million to Lumos Global BV to power rural households with off-grid solar power.
The funds are part of a $350 million World Bank grant aimed at facilitating Nigeria's rural electrification program. The Nigerian government plans to use the remaining share of the $350 million to build Solar Minigrids, further expanding access to electricity in rural areas.
Lumos Global, a Dutch company, has been a key player in off-grid solar power in Nigeria since its launch in 2016. The company has successfully powered over 100,000 homes with solar power systems, making a significant impact on the lives of rural Nigerians.
Nigeria, with a population of around 200 million people, faces a significant challenge in providing electricity to its citizens. Only about 60% of the population is connected to power, with the remaining 40% relying on unreliable and outdated power grid systems. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), frequent power losses cost Nigeria up to $29 billion every year.
