World Bank MD/CFO, Anshula Kant, Visits 60kW Petti Solar Mini-Grid, ●●●Applauds Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Efforts

By our Correspondent

As part of her official high-level visit to Nigeria, the Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of the World Bank Group, Mrs. Anshula Kant, undertook a field tour of the 60kW Solar Hybrid Mini-Grid located in Petti community, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The project, implemented under the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), is a flagship initiative of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) with support from the World Bank.

The guided tour was led by the Executive Director, Technical Services of the REA, Engr Umar A. Umar, who stood in for the Managing Director/CEO of the Agency, Abubakar Abba Aliyu.

The visit, like previous ones before now, signifies the World Bank’s continued commitment to scaling access to clean, reliable, and affordable electricity for underserved and rural communities in Nigeria.

During the tour, Mrs. Ashantul Kant, engaged with project developers, community beneficiaries, and local business owners whose daily activities have been positively transformed through stable power supply, as reflected by the noble responses by the royal father of the beneficiary community, the Etsu Petti, His Royal Highness, Haruna Dakuchi Sarki, who made specific institutional demands on the World Bank and the Rural Electrification Agency, alongside its component management unit, Nigeria Electrification Programme, to look at the possibility of increasing the volume of generated alternative power sources from its present 60 Kilo Watts to about 120 Kilo Watts, with a view to meeting up with the increasing population growth.

The Etsu Petti, also requested the World Bank and the authorities of the Rural Electrification Agency and Nigeria Electrification Programme, to consider the urgency in constructing the highly dilapidated road network that leads in and out of the community as building the road, would further boost the economic empowerment and productivity drive of the rural dwellers.

Speaking to journalists, at the plant site, Mrs. Kant expressed satisfaction with the implementation and sustainability of the Petti mini-grid project.

“I’m very happy to see the progress that is being made here. The first business of the day is to make sure people have access to electricity. I was just asking whether the community members are paying regularly for their electricity – and yes, they are. That shows they truly value this access to energy. Until we achieve more stable, on-grid power nationwide, I believe this is a very effective solution. I’m glad to see the positive impact,” she remarked.

She also commended the REA and its implementing partners for their proactive approach in expanding energy access through off-grid technologies:

“I think it’s a great partnership with the World Bank Group. This initiative reflects an innovative and inclusive model to get power to the people. The REA is clearly doing fantastic work with its grid partners and developers to make this possible.”

On his part, the Executive Director, Technical Services, Mr. Umar A. Umar, who represented the Managing Director of the REA, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to delivering last-mile electrification projects that improve livelihoods and promote socio-economic inclusion.

“This visit is a testament to the impact of our work under the Nigeria Electrification Project. The Petti mini-grid is just one of the many success stories we are proud to share. We are grateful for the continuous support of the World Bank Group and remain committed to expanding clean energy access across Nigeria’s rural communities,” Engr. Umar stated.

The Petti 60kW solar hybrid mini-grid provides uninterrupted electricity to over 200 households and small businesses, including a school and health centre. Commissioned in 2021 and further upgraded under NEP, the site previously hosted a delegation of senior World Bank officials in August 2024 and continues to serve as a model for decentralized renewable energy deployment.

As the global energy landscape continues to evolve, Nigeria’s strategic collaboration with international development partners, like the World Bank, signals a strong commitment towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 – access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
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