REA and SAPZ Partner to Power Nigeria’s Rural Agro-Hubs

REA and SAPZ Partner to Power Nigeria’s Rural Agro-Hubs

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide affordable energy across all SAPZ sites in Nigeria. Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing himself at the ceremony, stressed the potential impact of this agreement on agricultural productivity and rural community well-being.

Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, signed the MoU alongside other officials from both agencies at Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. According to Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President, this partnership will target 25,000 households and over 103,000 direct beneficiaries across various designated areas.

The REA, through its Desert To Power programme, aims to leverage joint assessment, technical assistance, and energy deployment. This move is part of the larger SAPZ programme, a flagship agricultural initiative backed by the African Development Bank. The SAPZ programme intends to cluster agro-processing activities in designated zones across Nigeria to reduce post-harvest losses and create rural employment.

Spearheading agricultural reforms, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Senator Abubakar Kyari described this collaboration as a step toward greater achievements in the sector. He emphasized that beyond bridging infrastructure gaps, it will directly improve farmers' livelihoods.

Who are REA and SAPZ?

The Rural Electrification Agency is tasked with expanding access to affordable energy in rural areas. Meanwhile, the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme aims to cluster agro-processing activities for better economic outputs.

What is the DESERT TO POWER Programme?

This initiative seeks to electrify agricultural and industrial zones across Nigeria, targeting improved productivity and socio-economic development in rural communities.

How Many Beneficiaries Will the Partnership Aim For?

The pact aims to directly benefit over 103,000 individuals through access to energy and improved infrastructure, transforming agricultural activities nationwide.