Residents of Ballagaza and Marayar Rogo in Kano State now have access to reliable electricity, following the commissioning of two solar mini-grids by the Federal Government through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
The mini-grids, located in Ballagaza, Gabasawa Local Government Area, and Marayar Rogo, Warawa Local Government Area, connected 2,214 homes and businesses.
They were delivered under the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme of the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), which is funded by the World Bank.
Built by Alfuttaim Nigeria Limited, the projects comprise a 195.2kWp solar mini-grid in Ballagaza and a 73.2kWp solar mini-grid in Marayar Rogo, giving a combined installed capacity of 268.4kWp. Ballagaza accounts for 1,564 connections, while Marayar Rogo has 650.
The Federal Government says the commissioning is another step in closing Nigeria’s electricity access gap through private sector-led renewable energy solutions.
Electricity is expected to power activities such as milling, welding, tailoring and cold storage, boosting productivity and household incomes.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, said the Federal Government remains committed to expanding access through sustainable energy and to working with the private sector to serve underserved communities.
He described renewable energy as a practical pathway to bringing power closer to people, supporting small businesses and encouraging economic growth, particularly in rural areas.
Representing Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Managing Director of the Kano State Rural Electricity Board commended the Federal Government and REA for extending infrastructure to the communities.
He said reliable power will open new opportunities for local entrepreneurs and small business owners and assured that the state government will keep supporting initiatives that improve living standards.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said the Agency’s focus goes beyond installing infrastructure to ensuring that projects deliver real benefits.
According to him, the 2,214 connections will create opportunities for households, support local businesses and provide a dependable base for productive work, stronger enterprises and better incomes.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Alfuttaim Nigeria Limited, Femi Kumuyi, said the projects show what strong collaboration between government, REA, development partners and private developers can achieve.
He added that the company’s aim is to provide reliable electricity that improves quality of life and helps local businesses grow.
The Emir of Kano, represented by the Magajin Garin Kano, welcomed the projects and described electricity as a key driver of community development and economic empowerment.
He urged residents to take ownership of the facilities, protect them, use the power responsibly and cooperate with the operators so that the projects serve present and future generations.
REA says it will continue working with the World Bank, private sector developers and other stakeholders under the DARES programme to accelerate electricity access, stimulate rural economic activity and deliver sustainable energy to underserved communities across Nigeria.
