THE Nigeria Off-grid Market Acceleration Programme (NOMAP) says its solar home system projects are creating opportunities and supporting the growth and development of the rural economy.
NOMAP, at a stakeholder meeting with government policymakers, development finance institutions, and donor partners on April 13 in Abuja, praised the five-year project in the off-grid electricity market and highlighted the progress made in closing the gap in the market.
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The theme of the meeting was, ‘Productive Use of Energy: Beyond Mini-grid Viability.’
The NOMAP project, founded in 2018, was designed as a major neutral market-building entity focused on accelerating off-grid energy access in Nigeria.
A report sighted by The ICIR at the event revealed that mini-grid in Nigeria continues to struggle with capacity utilisation and commercial viability constraints.
“Incidentally, most mini-grids operate in agrarian communities where post-harvest losses are significantly high because of limited options for storage and processing. Post-harvest losses currently cost the country N3.5 trillion (USD 8 billion) annually,” NOMAP said.
It further noted that while efforts were being made to stimulate demand for electricity in communities powered by mini-grids, developers were beginning to identify opportunities where electricity can be used for value addition, especially in the agro value chain.
NOMAP disclosed in the report that it was prioritising interventions that would lead to increased income and improved livelihoods for rural energy users.
“Our energy for growth approach supports productive use of energy,” the report noted.
It informed that it would soon be implementing interventions that would improve the policy environment for off-grid solutions at the sub-national level to scale the delivery of off-grid solutions.
Harrison Edeh is a journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, always determined to drive advocacy for good governance through holding public officials and businesses accountable.