Pan-African renewable energy company WeLight has unveiled plans to invest $650 million (about N975 billion) in expanding solar mini-grid infrastructure across Nigeria, in a major push to bring reliable electricity to millions of people living beyond the reach of the national grid.
The investment, disclosed in a post on X by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, is aimed at dramatically increasing access to clean energy while growing WeLight’s rural customer base tenfold.
WeLight said the expansion will focus on communities with little or no access to dependable electricity, providing homes and businesses with power through decentralised solar mini-grids rather than the national transmission network.
The company plans to deploy solar photovoltaic (PV) systems supported by lithium-ion battery storage to ensure continuous electricity supply, reducing dependence on petrol and diesel generators that remain the primary source of power in many rural communities.
The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of households and businesses that have long struggled with unreliable grid electricity and recurring national power disruptions.
Unlike conventional electricity projects that require extensive transmission infrastructure, solar mini-grids generate and distribute electricity within the communities they serve.
According to WeLight, each installation will be tailored to local energy demand, helping to minimise transmission losses while insulating communities from nationwide grid failures.
The company said priority will be given to rural and farming communities where reliable electricity can stimulate economic activity by supporting irrigation, agricultural processing, cold-chain storage, small-scale manufacturing and other productive enterprises.
The project is expected to significantly expand electricity access for both residential and commercial users in underserved areas.
Nigeria continues to face one of the world’s largest electricity access gaps, with millions of households and businesses relying on self-generated power because of inadequate grid supply.
As a result, off-grid renewable energy solutions, particularly solar mini-grids, have become a central component of efforts by government, development finance institutions and private investors to improve electricity access.
WeLight cited successful deployments in East Africa, including projects implemented in Kenya through partnerships between the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation and private developers in counties such as Turkana, Garissa and Marsabit.
According to the company, the Nigeria expansion is built around four strategic objectives:
- Investing $650 million in solar mini-grid infrastructure.
- Expanding its customer base tenfold.
- Providing clean electricity to communities currently dependent on diesel and petrol generators.
- Scaling decentralised solar generation backed by battery storage technology.
The company has yet to announce a timeline for implementation or disclose how the project will be financed.
