Green Power Boost: Nigeria Secures $190m Renewable Energy Loan From Japan’s JICA – Adelabu

Nigeria is set to secure a $190 million renewable energy loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), according to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement issued on Saturday, the minister revealed the plan during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, Japan, where President Bola Tinubu led Nigeria’s delegation in high-level talks on power, infrastructure, and industrial transformation.

Adelabu explained that the facility would accelerate the deployment of distributed renewable energy solutions in underserved communities. This initiative, he said, builds on the recently launched $750 million World Bank Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme under the Mission 300 Compact, which aims to deliver clean and reliable electricity to over 17 million Nigerians.

The minister also held strategic meetings with top Japanese corporations including Toshiba, Hitachi, the Japan Transmission and Distribution Corporation, and Energy Exchange Corporations. Discussions centered on modernizing Nigeria’s transmission network, boosting operational efficiency, and reducing system losses.

According to the ministry, these talks build on recent Federal Executive Council approvals of ₦19.08 billion counterpart funding to unlock a $238 million JICA loan earmarked for grid expansion. The project includes more than 200km of new 330kV and 132kV double-circuit lines, six new substations, and upgrades to existing facilities.

Additionally, three new substations—funded through a $32 million JICA grant—located in Apo (FCT), Keffi (Nasarawa), and Apapa (Lagos) are set to be commissioned soon, improving supply reliability for households, industries, and business hubs, including the Lagos Port.

Speaking at a panel session themed “HICKARE Africa: Harnessing Innovation, Co-creation, and Knowledge for Accessible and Resilient Energy for Africa”, Adelabu underscored Nigeria’s energy access challenges, noting that only 55–60 percent of the population currently has electricity, much of it unreliable.

He outlined government strategies to extend grid access in urban centers while accelerating off-grid solar mini-grids and standalone systems in rural areas. However, he acknowledged persistent challenges, such as limited affordable financing, high rural household costs, and underutilization of productive-use equipment.

Despite these obstacles, Adelabu reaffirmed the government’s resolve to pursue power sector reforms through supportive policies, private-sector collaboration, and increased local manufacturing of renewable energy components.

He praised JICA and the Japanese government for their longstanding contributions to Nigeria’s power sector, including infrastructure, training, technical studies, and financing. Adelabu expressed optimism that stronger partnerships with Japan would accelerate Nigeria’s energy transition.