REA powers Kano community with mini-grids after 16 years of darkness

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has successfully launched two mini-grid projects in Kano State, ending a period of 16 years without electricity in the beneficiary communities. The projects, located in Warawa, consist of a 195kWp system in Ballagaza and a 70kWp system in Marayar Rogo, and will provide power to 2,222 households.

The Mini-grids were commissioned by the Managing Director of REA, Abba Aliyu, who emphasized the importance of these projects in achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda's goal of electrifying more than 17 million Nigerians. Aliyu also highlighted the significance of public-private partnerships in bringing these projects to fruition and praised Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his role in providing a conducive environment for their execution.

The Federal Government did not directly build or hand over these mini-grids, as Alfuttaim Nigeria Limited invested its own funds to construct and operate them. Through the DARES programme, the government subsidized part of the cost to ensure affordability for the residents. With the DARES programme aiming to deploy 1,350 mini-grids across Nigeria, REA's efforts in Kano State demonstrate that progress can be made community by community, as seen in the Gabazawa community.

The mini-grids will not only improve the daily lives of residents by powering homes but also boost agricultural productivity, as residents can now process their crops using electric machines. The projects also provide electricity to the primary healthcare center, previously without power. Dr. Nabilah Sani, co-founder of Alfuttaim, expressed satisfaction with the completion of the projects and called on community members to protect the infrastructure, urging them to prevent vandalism.