REA to lead renewable energy push at decarbonisation summit

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) will headline discussions on Nigeria’s renewable energy transition and decarbonisation agenda at the 2026 Oriental News National Conference, as stakeholders seek practical solutions to financing and regulatory challenges slowing the country’s journey toward a low-carbon economy.

The conference, themed “Carbon Capture: Accelerating Decarbonisation Initiatives in Nigeria’s Extractive Industry Through Broad Regulatory Reforms,” is to hold on July 23, in Lagos, and is expected to bring together energy companies, financial institutions, regulators, policymakers and industry experts to chart pathways for reducing carbon emissions across critical sectors of the economy.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, will lead conversations on the agency’s role in advancing renewable energy deployment and supporting the Federal Government’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP), which targets net-zero emissions by 2060.

His presentation is expected to focus on the expansion of solar mini-grids, renewable energy investments and efforts to extend electricity access to millions of Nigerians while reducing dependence on fossil-fuel-powered generators.

The conference comes at a time when Nigeria is intensifying efforts to attract investments into clean energy infrastructure amid growing global pressure on oil-producing nations and extractive industries to lower carbon emissions.

Under the Energy Transition Plan, Nigeria is pursuing a $410 billion investment programme aimed at expanding electricity access, strengthening grid infrastructure, promoting clean cooking solutions and accelerating the adoption of renewable energy technologies.

A key component of the strategy is the $750 million Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) programme, backed by the World Bank, which seeks to provide electricity to more than 17.5 million Nigerians through solar home systems and mini-grid projects.

The REA has emerged as one of the leading agencies driving this agenda through the deployment of community-based solar mini-grids designed to provide reliable electricity to rural communities, healthcare facilities and small businesses.

READ ALSO: Transport, storage sector contribute 1.36% to nominal GDP in Q1 2026 — NBS

Beyond improving energy access, the government is also seeking to build local value chains through domestic manufacturing of solar panels, inverters and renewable energy components, a strategy expected to create jobs, reduce import dependence and strengthen Nigeria’s clean-energy ecosystem.

To support private sector participation, authorities have introduced policy incentives, including tax holidays and other investment-friendly measures targeted at independent power producers and renewable energy developers.

Organisers of the conference said discussions will focus on addressing financing constraints, investment opportunities, operational sustainability and climate change management across the extractive industries.

The summit is also expected to examine how operators in the oil and gas, petrochemical and manufacturing sectors can align environmental commitments with profitability and long-term business sustainability.

As investors increasingly place greater emphasis on environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, companies are facing mounting pressure to adopt cleaner technologies and reduce their carbon footprint.

The conference will feature presentations from industry leaders who have recorded significant progress in implementing decarbonisation initiatives, providing practical case studies on balancing sustainability goals with operational efficiency.

Now in its fifth year, the Oriental News National Conference has become a platform for dialogue among stakeholders in Nigeria’s energy, finance and industrial sectors, with a focus on promoting regulatory reforms, encouraging investments and supporting sustainable economic growth.

Stakeholders are expected to deliberate on carbon capture technologies, financing models, regulatory frameworks and policy interventions needed to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a cleaner and more resilient economy.

With energy transition increasingly shaping investment decisions globally, the outcome of the discussions could provide fresh insights into how Nigeria can mobilise capital, strengthen energy security and position itself competitively in the emerging low-carbon economy.