All On, Energise Africa invest $4m in solar mini-grids for 19 Jigawa, Bauchi communities

Two energy investment firms have committed $4 million to expand access to clean and reliable electricity through solar-powered mini-grids in 19 communities across Jigawa and Bauchi states. The project, executed by indigenous firm Maskh Nigeria Limited, is expected to provide electricity to nearly 100,000 people.

Project details

All On and Energise Africa are backing the development and deployment of the mini-grids as part of efforts to improve electricity access in underserved communities and support Nigeria's renewable energy transition. Maskh Nigeria Limited, an indigenous company with expertise in renewable energy, construction, engineering, electrification and procurement services, will implement the project.

The initiative runs under the Demand Aggregation for Renewable Energy Technology (DART) Programme and will serve homes, schools, healthcare facilities and small businesses. The mini-grids are expected to enable more productive use of electricity and support local economic activity.

What the investors say

All On Chief Executive Officer Caroline Eboumbou said the investment will provide reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity to households, businesses and public institutions that currently lack dependable power. She added that decentralised energy infrastructure could play an important role in expanding economic and social opportunities in communities where electricity access remains limited.

Eboumbou said the investment demonstrates All On's commitment to supporting indigenous energy companies capable of delivering practical and scalable solutions to Nigeria's energy access challenges.

Energise Africa CEO Ray Coyle said the initiative would bring clean and reliable electricity to 19 communities while creating lasting social, economic and environmental benefits. He added that the involvement of UK investors would help support development outcomes for thousands of Nigerians in the beneficiary communities.

Local impact

For Maskh Nigeria, the project represents an opportunity to expand capacity and strengthen its position in Nigeria's renewable energy market. Qaim Mahmood, the company's Director of Operations, said the firm was proud to deploy the mini-grids in underserved communities across Jigawa and Bauchi.

Mahmood said the project would help businesses grow, improve essential services, create jobs and open new opportunities for young people. He thanked All On, Energise Africa and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for their support and confidence in the indigenous company.

Beyond providing electricity, the project is expected to support local enterprise development, improve access to essential services and reduce communities' dependence on traditional energy sources.

What it means for the power sector

The $4 million investment highlights the growing role of solar mini-grids in closing Nigeria's electricity access gap, providing cleaner and more sustainable power to communities beyond the reach of dependable grid electricity. Earlier, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) attracted more than $1.4 billion in loans and grants from multilateral development partners to support transmission network expansion. The funding, estimated at N1.87 trillion, helped TCN increase its transmission wheeling capacity to more than 8,700 megawatts.