Project Details
Key Issues / Risks
Implementation risk remains substantial. The World Bank's June 10, 2026 implementation report rated overall implementation progress and progress toward the development objective as Moderately Satisfactory, with the overall risk rating remaining Substantial.
Latest Development (Detail)
As of June 10, 2026, the DARES programme had more than US$430 million fully committed and had provided new or improved electricity services to 5.3 million people. The World Bank also reported that negotiations for additional financing had concluded on June 4, 2026. In July 2026, REA reported the launch of 42 renewable-energy projects in Adamawa and Kebbi, representing 30.5 MW of capacity intended to serve approximately 40,000 households and 6,000 businesses.
What Happens Next
Continued deployment of distributed renewable-energy infrastructure under DARES, including solar hybrid mini-grids and stand-alone solar systems. The programme is also moving through private-sector financing and deployment arrangements, including the DARES Green Finance and Investment Facility and RESCO financing structures
Commercial Opportunity
Opportunities are emerging across mini-grid development, solar home systems, distributed-energy equipment, engineering and technical services, financing, project development, operations and maintenance, and associated renewable-energy supply chains. DARES is explicitly structured around private-sector-led distributed renewable-energy generation.
Capital & Financing Intelligence
Procurement & Contract Outlook
Commercial Opportunity Intelligence
Strong
Commercial Readiness:
Approaching Commercial Stage / Procurement Ready
Analyst Notes
The Nigeria Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up Project (DARES), project ID P179687, is a US$750 million World Bank/IDA-financed programme designed to increase access to electricity for households and micro, small and medium enterprises through private-sector-led distributed renewable energy generation. The project uses distributed renewable energy solutions including solar hybrid mini-grids and stand-alone solar systems.
The project is implemented by Nigeria's Rural Electrification Agency (REA). Its approved development objective is to increase access to electricity services for households and MSMEs through private-sector-led distributed renewable energy generation.
The original World Bank approval was US$750 million, approved on December 14, 2023. The programme was designed to leverage more than US$1 billion in private capital and additional financing from development partners.
Current verified position
As of the World Bank's June 10, 2026 implementation report, DARES was actively being implemented. More than US$430 million of the programme funds had been committed, and 5.3 million people had received new or improved electricity services, primarily through stand-alone solar systems and isolated mini-grids.
The same report records that negotiations for additional financing with the Federal Government of Nigeria were concluded on June 4, 2026. The additional financing includes anticipated JICA co-financing of approximately US$193.8 million and US$49.1 million in U.S. trust-fund grant resources earmarked for electrification of public institutions.