The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is set to fund a $163 million solar electrification project in Niger State, a major renewable energy initiative aimed at providing an alternative and reliable source of electricity for communities across the state. The project is expected to significantly boost industrial activity, strengthen agricultural productivity and support long-term economic growth.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on 26 January 2026 by Bologi Ibrahim, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger State. According to the statement, the project, officially known as the Niger State Solar Electrification Project and code-named NGA1063, will cover approximately 200 hectares of land and generate up to 100 megawatts of solar power.

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, who received the IsDB project preparation team, described the initiative as a strategic investment that aligns with the state’s broader development agenda. He noted that Niger State has made significant investments in agriculture and that access to stable electricity would further enhance food production, agro-processing and industrial development.

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“The project, which is the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa, is to cover 200 hectares of land with a cost of $163m to provide alternative source of power to many communities,” the statement said. Governor Bago also acknowledged the long-standing contributions of the Islamic Development Bank to the state, stressing that the solar project would increase productivity, generate revenue and ultimately pay for itself.

IsDB Partnership and Project Preparation Details

Providing technical insight into the initiative, IsDB Task Team Lead, Daniyar Abylkhan, said the project would leverage Niger State’s abundant sunlight to generate clean and sustainable electricity. He commended the state government’s commitment to diversifying its energy mix and reducing reliance on conventional power sources.

Abylkhan also highlighted the Bank’s existing partnership with Niger State, noting that successful projects such as the reconstruction of the Minna–Bida road played a role in IsDB’s decision to continue investing in the state. He said the solar electrification project reflects the Bank’s confidence in Niger State’s development vision and institutional capacity.

The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Abubakar, explained that the meeting with the IsDB team marked the formal commencement of the project preparation process. This stage involves consultations with key stakeholders, technical reviews of state development plans and the production of documentation required for appraisal and final approval by the Bank.

Project consultants, Umar Faruk Batagarawa and Mohammed Mahdi Abubakar, noted that Niger State is uniquely positioned for solar energy development due to its vast landmass and complementary power-generating sites. They added that the new solar facility would help stabilise the national grid, complementing the state’s existing contribution of about 2,000 megawatts to national power generation.

The consultants stressed that community engagement, environmental assessments and social impact studies would be critical to the project’s success, ensuring sustainability and local acceptance.

The IsDB-backed project comes amid increased international focus on solar energy and clean power solutions in Africa. Recently, the World Bank approved $50 million to expand solar-powered agricultural solutions in Nigeria and five other African countries. The initiative aims to improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and increase access to clean energy through solar-powered cold rooms, water pumps and grain mills.

Similarly, in January 2025, the African Development Bank and the World Bank pledged $40 billion under the Mission 300 initiative, which targets providing electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030.

Beyond energy, Niger State has entered several large-scale development partnerships to drive economic and industrial growth. Notably, the state is collaborating with the Federal Government and Brazilian livestock firm JBJ Brazil on a proposed 100,000-hectare cattle ranch under a $2.5 billion investment agreement. While progress updates on the ranch are yet to be made public, the initiative reflects the state’s broader push to leverage its land and natural resources for economic transformation.

The $163 million solar electrification project is expected to become a cornerstone of Niger State’s development strategy, positioning the state as a leader in renewable energy adoption and sustainable growth in Nigeria.