Nigeria has assumed a continental leadership role in Africa’s energy transition, with an ambitious goal to electrify 300 million people by the year 2030. This was announced by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, at the opening of the First Legislative Conference and Expo on Renewable Energy held in Lagos.
The Speaker highlighted Nigeria’s pivotal involvement in the Mission 300 Initiative, a collaborative effort with the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The initiative seeks to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030, demonstrating Nigeria’s commitment to advancing clean and inclusive energy access across the continent.
Abbas also lauded President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a $1 billion financing plan for the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in December 2024, which will support the expansion of solar energy access. The initiative, expected to deploy 124 mini-grids and over 25,000 solar home systems, will directly benefit over 200,000 Nigerians.
The Speaker underscored the importance of legislative reforms in driving the clean energy transition. He pointed to the creation of a Standing Committee on Renewable Energy by the 10th House of Representatives and the introduction of new tax reforms that eliminate Value Added Tax (VAT) on renewable energy components and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) technologies. These reforms are expected to stimulate private-sector investment and improve affordability in the clean energy sector.
Abbas emphasized that Nigeria’s energy transition was crucial to its national development. He pointed out that in 2024, renewable energy accounted for more than 92% of new global power generation capacity, marking a decisive shift toward clean energy. He stressed the need for Nigeria to align with global trends to remain competitive and environmentally responsible.
The Speaker also discussed the legislative milestones achieved by Nigeria, including the passage of the Electricity Act of 2023, which devolved control over the power sector to sub-national governments. This move encourages localized energy solutions and increased private-sector participation.
He called for continued investment in renewable energy, legislative action, and cross-border collaboration to ensure the success of Africa’s energy transition. The Speaker reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to its Energy Transition Plan, which sets a path toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
The event also featured contributions from African parliamentarians, including the Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who commended Nigeria’s leadership and called for stronger legislative backing to accelerate the transition to renewable energy across Africa.
UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Atafuah, concluded by stressing that the world is reorienting around energy and climate security, and Nigeria must continue to lead with courage and vision to secure a sustainable energy future for its people and the continent.
The conference marked a key moment for Nigeria, reaffirming the country’s leadership in the drive for sustainable, clean energy solutions in Africa.
