Latest Development
Project Details
Project TypeEnergy Infrastructure / Distributed Renewable Energy
Project OwnerFederal Government of Nigeria
Project SponsorFederal Government of Nigeria
Project DeveloperRural Electrification Agency (REA)
Financing InstitutionWorld Bank / International Development Association (IDA)
Start DateDecember 2023
Expected CompletionNot Completed
Current PhaseFinancing
Funding StatusFully Funded
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
Funding / Amount CommittedNGN US$750 million IDA credit approved; over US$430 million of total programme funds had been committed as of June 10, 2026.
Funding SourceInternational Development Association (IDA) credit
Funding DateDecember 14, 2023
Procurement & Contract Outlook
Procurement / Contract OpportunityDARES has already moved into procurement and implementation of private-sector renewable-energy projects. REA documentation confirms Minimum Subsidy Tender procurement for interconnected mini-grids, while the project continues to deploy private-sector developers
Expected Next MilestoneFurther implementation and deployment of DARES-supported mini-grid and stand-alone solar projects, including projects supported through the Green Finance and Investment Facility. (2026)
Commercial Opportunity Intelligence
Financing / Capital OpportunityActive. DARES is attracting complementary financing beyond its original World Bank facility. REA announced a ₦100 billion financing arrangement with Lotus Bank for DARES-supported RESCOs, while IFC and Norfund announced financing of up to US$83.2 million for five RESCOs participating in the broader DARES platform.
Potential BeneficiariesRenewable-energy developers; mini-grid developers; solar equipment suppliers; battery and energy-storage companies; EPC and engineering firms; operations and maintenance providers; financial institutions; energy-service companies; technology providers; rural businesses and productive-use customers.
Opportunity SignalOpportunity Signal:
Strong
Commercial Readiness:
Approaching Commercial Stage / Procurement Ready
Commercial ReadinessProcurement Ready
Source & Verification Trail
Last Verified7 August 2026
Source(s)World Bank — Nigeria Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up Project (P179687), Implementation Status & Results Report.
Source Date10 June 2026