RESIP

What Is This Policy?

RESIP is Nigeria's national framework for rapidly and cost-effectively expanding electricity access to rural and underserved communities through both grid extension and off-grid solutions, implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

Who Does It Target?

Rural and unelectrified communities across Nigeria's 36 states and FCT Local Government Areas (LGAs) and their surrounding settlements Households, schools, healthcare facilities, and small businesses in energy-poor regions All six geopolitical zones, with equity and regional balance as a guiding principle

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

RESIP sets out to eliminate energy poverty in rural Nigeria by: Achieving 75% national electrification rate by 2020 (electrifying ~471,000 rural households annually from 2007–2020) Reaching full (100%) electrification by 2040 (~513,000 households per year from 2020–2040) Driving universal access by 2030 in line with SDG7 and the COP28 "double down, triple up" renewable energy mandate

Key Features

Grid & Off-Grid Approach: Combines national grid extension with solar mini-grids, stand-alone systems, and hybrid solutions Private Sector Leadership: Encourages private developers to build and operate mini-grids with REA subsidies under market-based frameworks Rural Electrification Fund (REF): A dedicated fund financed by federal allocations to support fast, cost-effective access expansion across all geopolitical zones Renewable Energy Focus: Leverages Nigeria's solar, wind, hydro, and biomass resources — particularly solar mini-grids and stand-alone solar systems Results-Based Framework (RBF): Project completion and sustainability guaranteed through an outcomes-driven delivery model Multi-Level Implementation: Draws on Federal, State, and Local Government resources, alongside international development partners

Current Status

Implementing Agency: Rural Electrification Agency (REA) — under the Federal Ministry of Power, with HQ in Abuja and 6 geopolitical zonal offices Rollout Stage: Active and expanding; RESIP is currently under review to align with the 2030 universal access goal Key Programmes: Capital Projects, Rural Electrification Fund (REF) Call projects, Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), Energizing Education Programme (EEP), and DARES (Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up) World Bank Support: The Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) received $350 million in World Bank financing, including $150 million for mini-grids targeting 200,000 households and 50,000 local enterprises Coverage: Federal-level with active state-level expansion; ~1,200 mini-grids planned under market-based approach Workforce: ~200 public servants plus embedded consultants across REA HQ and zonal offices

How to Access

RESIP is a national government policy — implementation is delivered through REA programmes, not individual applications. Communities, developers, and investors can engage as follows: Communities: Contact REA's nearest zonal office to request assessment for electrification under REF or NEP programmes Private Developers: Apply for REA mini-grid subsidies via REF Call project windows; engage through the Nigeria Electrification Project framework State Governments: Partner with REA for co-funded grid extension and off-grid programmes targeting state institutions Portal / Contact: rea.gov.ng | [email protected] | +234 811 249 4040

Impact & Metrics

Millions of Nigerians reached through REA-implemented electrification initiatives since 2006 Hundreds of communities transformed through solar mini-grids and stand-alone systems Annual rural household electrification target: 471,000 (2007–2020) and 513,000 (2020–2040) Nigeria Electrification Project expected to serve 200,000 households and 50,000 enterprises through ~1,200 mini-grids DARES project: pre-development activities underway at 40 pilot interconnected mini-grid sites with World Bank support

Official Resources

Website: rea.gov.ng Policy Documents: rea.gov.ng/power-sector-policy-documents Contact: [email protected] | +234 811 249 4040 | 22 Freetown Street, Wuse 2, Abuja | Source: REA, IEA, World Bank, Africa Outlook | February 2026

Legal Framework

Operates under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) 2005 and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Act. Now read alongside the Electricity Act 2023 which consolidates the off-grid electrification mandate. Supported by the Renewable Energy Master Plan, the National Electrification Project framework, and multilateral financing instruments from the World Bank, African Development Bank, and USAID Power Africa.