The Federal Government has announced plans to learn from Egypt’s expertise in power generation and transmission, citing the North African nation as a role model in the sector.
The government also reiterated its commitment to rural development by improving access to electricity.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, revealed this during a recent meeting in Abuja with Egypt’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Fouad.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Adelabu’s spokesperson, Bolaji Tunji, it was noted that discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in energy expansion, particularly in renewable energy and rural electrification.
Adelabu praised Egypt’s advancements in the energy sector, calling it a benchmark for energy infrastructure development.
He expressed Nigeria’s eagerness to benefit from Egypt’s experience in power generation, transmission, and distribution, adding that Egypt’s success had prompted engagement with Siemens to help stabilise Nigeria’s power sector.
“Egypt has made remarkable strides in energy transformation, and we are eager to collaborate and learn from your expertise. Our goal is to ensure reliable, stable, and affordable energy access for all Nigerians,” he added.
Adelabu highlighted Nigeria’s efforts to connect remote rural areas to power through renewable energy initiatives, citing the economic challenges of extending the national grid to these regions.
“Many rural areas cannot be connected to the grid due to economic constraints, but we cannot neglect them. Through our renewable energy programme, we are bridging this gap. We have secured significant investments, including $750m from the World Bank’s DARES project and an additional $190m from the Japan International Cooperation Agency to support this initiative,” Adelabu stated.
He emphasised Nigeria’s abundant renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, and hydroelectric potential, expressing the government’s determination to harness these resources for sustainable energy access.
Speaking, Fouad expressed Egypt’s enthusiasm for collaborating with Nigeria, particularly in closing the metering gap and sharing best practices in energy access.
He emphasised the shared goals and mutual benefits of strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.
“Nigeria and Egypt have much in common, and there is immense potential for collaboration in the energy sector. We are committed to working together to achieve sustainable energy solutions for both countries,” Fouad said.
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