World Bank Initiative Targets Energy Access for 17.5 Million Nigerians
The World Bank has announced that its ambitious Mission 300 program will provide household energy access to an estimated 17.5 million people in Nigeria. This engagement with the Federal Government is designed to stimulate job creation, foster private sector growth, and accelerate broader national development. The initiative is a core component of the World Bank Group’s sustained support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and development priorities.
High-Level Consultations to Shape Partnership
In preparation for this significant rollout, World Bank Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, is scheduled to commence a three-day official visit to Nigeria on February 1, 2026. The visit aims to deepen consultations on how the Bank can most effectively support the country’s development strategy. Bjerde’s itinerary includes meetings with senior government officials, private sector leaders, and civil society organizations. These discussions are integral to shaping the Bank’s upcoming Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Nigeria, a strategic document that will guide future collaboration. As the presidency urges Nigerians to look toward long-term structural improvements, such partnerships are seen as vital for sustainable progress.
Focus on Renewable Energy and Economic Resilience
The World Bank specified that Mission 300 will primarily deliver electricity through off-grid and renewable energy solutions under Nigeria’s existing Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme. This approach underscores the Bank’s firm view that energy access is a fundamental driver of inclusive growth and economic resilience. By addressing the power deficit, the program seeks to create a more stable environment for business, a point often emphasized as critical when analysts discuss how inflation will reduce further in 2026. A reliable energy supply is foundational for economic planning and stability.
While energy is a primary focus, Bjerde’s visit will also cover other sectors deemed critical for Nigeria’s development. These areas are considered essential for creating jobs, increasing incomes, and enhancing the nation’s resilience to both climate and economic shocks. The success of such international efforts can complement domestic initiatives, including those where the FG plans exportable goods to strengthen foreign exchange earnings. Mission 300 itself is a pan-African endeavor, launched in January 2025 by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, with the goal of providing electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030.
