Lagos, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- THE Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jigawa State Government, the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) and Astound Power Limited to develop a 7-megawatt (MW) electricity project aimed at powering agro-industrial clusters across seven states.
The agreement, signed at the Jigawa Investment Summit (J-Invest 2026), is expected to strengthen agricultural productivity, improve rural industrialisation and boost value-chain development through reliable electricity supply.
Under the public-private partnership (PPP), the 7MW project will provide power to agro-industrial clusters in Jigawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Osun and Ebonyi states.
As part of the arrangement, the REA will deploy renewable energy infrastructure to power irrigation systems, agro-processing facilities and other productive-use applications, while the Nigerian Commodity Exchange will issue NCX-backed warehouse receipts to eligible farmers and commodity aggregators to facilitate storage, financing and export.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, Abba Aliyu, said reliable electricity remains a key driver of investment, industrialisation and job creation.
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Aliyu, who also served as a lead panellist at the summit, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to integrating clean energy with agriculture to strengthen food security, improve rural livelihoods and unlock greater economic value across Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
According to him, access to reliable energy is essential for scaling businesses, increasing productivity and fostering inclusive economic development.
“One of the strongest signals any government can send is a clear commitment to creating an environment where businesses can thrive,” he said.
He noted that investments naturally flow to locations where infrastructure, institutional support and business confidence exist, adding that electrifying productive sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) would accelerate economic growth.
The summit brought together policymakers, investors, development partners and private sector leaders to explore strategies for driving sustainable economic development in Jigawa State.
The event was officially declared open by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The latest partnership aligns with the Federal Government’s broader strategy to expand energy access, promote renewable power solutions and enhance agricultural productivity through public-private collaboration.
