The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Chinese company Mutual Commitment Company (MCC) Limited to advance renewable energy initiatives in the country.
The agreements were signed in Beijing during the Africa-China Cooperation Summit and were facilitated by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), under the Ministry of Power.
Present at the signing ceremony were Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, and the Managing Director of REA, Mr. Abba Aliyu.
The MoUs are seen as a significant step toward achieving Nigeria’s renewable energy goals and aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Minister Adelabu emphasized the importance of these agreements, stating that they would help Nigeria address the dual challenges of energy access and job creation, particularly in rural areas where energy infrastructure is lacking.
He highlighted the government’s shift from a centralized power system to a distributed energy model, which includes a strong focus on renewable energy sources.
The goal is to have 30% of Nigeria’s energy generation coming from renewable sources by 2030, with a long-term target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2060.
The minister also noted that these initiatives would contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), reduce foreign exchange expenditure on energy imports, and create jobs through local assembly and manufacturing.
Mr. Abba Aliyu, REA’s Managing Director, reiterated the agency’s commitment to tracking the MoUs to ensure they deliver on the government’s objectives, including building local capacity and generating employment.
The MCC is already involved in Nigeria, working on power plants in Maiduguri and Kaduna.
The Vice Chairman of MCC, Yan Zhezhu, expressed his appreciation for the Nigerian government’s commitment to energy growth and highlighted MCC’s ongoing projects in the country.
He affirmed the company’s dedication to further cooperation with both state and federal governments in Nigeria.
These MoUs mark a critical step towards improving energy access and transitioning to more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources in Nigeria.
Further details on the specific projects and their timelines are expected to be released as the initiatives progress.
