S1 · E1January 26 · 46 min
The United Nations General Assembly, designated 26 January as the International Day of Clean Energy to raise global awareness and accelerate action towards a just and inclusive clean energy transition. This transition is essential for climate stability, sustainable development, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as current energy systems remain heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
Renewable energy sources solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal offer sustainable, low-emission alternatives. Beyond environmental benefits, these technologies can catalyse economic growth, create jobs, and enhance energy access, especially in underserved communities.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, confronts a profound energy access crisis. Over 140 million Nigerians (71% of the population) lack reliable electricity, compelling widespread use of expensive, polluting diesel and petrol generators.
Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP) sets a clear pathway to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060, balancing socio-economic realities with climate imperatives. Central to this plan is scaling renewable generation to account for 50% of the electricity mix by 2030, alongside universal energy access goals. Achieving these targets demands comprehensive regulatory reforms, increased capital investment, and strong private-sector engagement.
Installed renewable capacity is expanding, with solar capacity exceeding 1,200 MW, largely through off-grid and rural electrification initiatives. Programs like the Nigeria Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) supported by a $750 million World Bank credit and over $1 billion in leveraged capital aim to deliver clean energy to 17.5 million Nigerians via mini-grids and standalone solar systems (World bank 2023).
Regionally, West Africa faces similar energy challenges. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 85% of the global population without electricity, despite substantial renewable potential. However, the region attracts a disproportionately small share of global clean energy investment, underscoring the urgent need for robust policies and financing mechanisms to enable equitable energy transitions.
