The European Union and Germany have pledged €17.9 million to boost Nigeria’s energy sector, focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and rural electrification.
The announcement was made by Mahmuda Mamman, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Power, at the launch of the third phase of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) in Abuja.
The NESP initiative, co-funded by the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), aims to address Nigeria’s energy challenges through technical assistance and investment support.
Launched in 2013, NESP has played a vital role in creating an investment-friendly environment for renewable energy and improving energy access, especially in underserved regions.
At the launch, Inga Stefanowicz, Head of Section for Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, emphasized the importance of collective efforts to achieve a sustainable energy future. “The EU is pleased to increase funding for this phase, fostering frameworks and models that attract investments in renewables and ensure reliable power for beneficiaries,” she said.
Germany’s Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Johannes Lehne, reaffirmed his country’s dedication to Nigeria’s energy transition, stressing that investments in renewables will help diversify Nigeria’s energy mix and support its decarbonization goals.
The third phase of NESP, with an increased budget following an additional €9 million commitment from the EU, will support rural electrification, power reliability, and regulatory capacity development, contributing to Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan.
