REA, SAPZ target 103,000 beneficiaries in new agro-industrial zone energy pact

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) program have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deliver affordable energy solutions across all SAPZ sites nationwide.

Vice President Kashim Shettima described the agreement, signed at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, as a partnership with the potential to significantly transform agricultural productivity and enhance the well-being of rural communities across Nigeria. The collaboration, part of the REA’s Desert To Power initiative, will involve joint assessments, technical assistance, and energy deployment. It is projected to benefit approximately 103,000 direct beneficiaries, 25,000 households, and 13 health facilities in designated areas.

Representing the Federal Government at the ceremony, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, welcomed the partnership. He emphasized the government's encouragement of collaborations that unlock the nation's potential, particularly in agriculture. Senator Hadejia commended the REA's commitment and resourcefulness, expressing confidence that the SAPZ program, once fully operational, will fulfill its promise to farming communities.

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This is a partnership with the potential to transform agricultural productivity and improve the wellbeing of rural communities nationwide.

Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, highlighted the collaboration between the African Development Bank, the Federal Ministry of Power, and the REA as a precursor to greater achievements in the agricultural sector. He stated that the program is designed not only to bridge the infrastructure gap but also to improve the livelihoods of farmers and rural residents, in line with the administration's 'Renewed Hope Agenda'.

Mahmuda Mamman, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, pledged the ministry's full support for the REA-SAPZ collaboration and its dedication to realizing the government's broader aspirations in the power sector. REA Managing Director, Abba Aliyu, presented the agency's project portfolio, noting the completion of 424 mini-grid electrification projects and 693 ongoing ones. He described the SAPZ partnership as an extension of REA's proven track record in delivering impactful electrification projects.

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Beyond bridging the infrastructure gap in the agricultural sector, the programme is designed to improve the livelihoods of farmers and people in rural communities in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.