Nigeria is turning to Egypt for lessons in power generation, transmission, and distribution as part of a broader effort to revamp the struggling electricity sector. Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, met with the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Fouad, in Abuja to strengthen bilateral cooperation in energy expansion. Their discussions focused on improving Nigeria’s power infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on renewable energy and rural electrification.
Egypt has made significant strides in energy transformation, positioning itself as a leader in power generation and distribution across Africa. Adelabu acknowledged Egypt’s achievements, calling the country a role model in energy infrastructure development. He noted that Nigeria’s engagement with Siemens, aimed at stabilizing the power sector, was inspired by Egypt’s success in implementing similar reforms.
“Egypt has transformed its energy sector, and we want to learn from their expertise. Our goal is to ensure reliable, stable, and affordable electricity for all Nigerians,” Adelabu said.
Ambassador Fouad echoed the sentiment, highlighting the potential for collaboration between both countries. He expressed Egypt’s interest in sharing its expertise, particularly in closing Nigeria’s metering gap and improving energy access.
Nigeria’s power sector has long faced issues of grid reliability, aging infrastructure, and metering inefficiencies. Adelabu acknowledged these challenges but pointed to ongoing initiatives designed to address them. One such effort is the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), which seeks to provide accurate billing and reduce electricity theft. In other news, iNaijanow recently shared a post on Dangote’s refinery’s suspension of crude oil supply to the Nigerian market.
The minister also emphasized the government’s commitment to rural electrification, noting that economic constraints make it difficult to extend the national grid to remote areas. Instead, Nigeria is ramping up its investment in renewable energy.
“We cannot neglect rural communities. Through our renewable energy program, we are bridging the power gap,” Adelabu said. “We have secured major investments, including $750 million from the World Bank’s DARES project and $190 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to support this initiative.”
With abundant solar, wind, and hydroelectric resources, Nigeria aims to harness its renewable energy potential for sustainable power access. Adelabu stressed that these resources must be fully utilized to meet growing energy demands.
Egypt is not only offering Nigeria guidance but is also looking to strengthen its own renewable energy sector. The North African country is working to increase its renewable energy contribution from 14% to 42% by 2035. Ambassador Fouad stated that Nigeria’s experience in power sector reforms would be valuable to Egypt as it expands its clean energy initiatives.
“Fossil fuel remains the dominant source of power in both our countries, but we are shifting focus. Egypt is blessed with solar and wind energy, just like Nigeria. We need to cooperate and learn from each other,” Fouad said.
He proposed activating a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on power projects between both nations and suggested virtual meetings to explore areas of mutual benefit.
The meeting between Adelabu and Fouad signals a growing partnership between Nigeria and Egypt in the energy sector. Both nations are determined to leverage their shared resources and expertise for long-term growth.
With Nigeria’s push for rural electrification and Egypt’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy mix, their collaboration could set the stage for significant improvements in Africa’s power landscape. If successful, this partnership could help Nigeria achieve stable electricity access while positioning Egypt as a leading energy hub on the continent. Both countries stand to gain from this energy alliance, ensuring a brighter, more electrified future for millions.
