AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The government of Nigeria’s Niger State has signed a $163 million agreement with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to implement the Niger Solar Electrification Project.
According to released information, the project, described as the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, will be developed on 200 hectares of land and is intended to provide an alternative energy source for several local communities.
Mohammed Umaru Bago, governor of Niger State, hosted the solar project preparation mission delegation in the state capital, Minna. He said the state government has made extensive investments in agriculture and noted that the solar project could help complete the agricultural value chain by strengthening food production and supporting industrialization.
Referring to the Islamic Development Bank’s effective role in implementing various intervention projects in Niger State, the governor described the decision to build a 100-megawatt solar power plant as a major investment that will boost productivity, generate income, and ultimately deliver economic returns. Bago expressed appreciation for the bank’s continued cooperation and stressed that the Niger State government is committed to the proper maintenance and operation of projects and is prepared to make full use of renewable energy capacity.
Meanwhile, Daniyar Abilkhan, the project team lead, said the Islamic Development Bank will harness Niger State’s abundant solar radiation to generate electricity and welcomed the governor’s initiative to diversify energy sources.
He added that the Islamic Development Bank has a long-standing development partnership with Niger State, noting that the success of projects such as the Minna–Bida road rehabilitation is among the main reasons for the bank’s willingness to continue and expand its engagement in the state.
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