(Ecofin Agency) - Power Africa, a United States’ energy project, has added 30,000 new solar connections in Nigeria, U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, said in a statement on Monday. The Ambassador made the declaration during a fact-finding assessment visit in Abuja.

In 2016, the U.S. through its Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) signed an agreement with Lumos, an off-grid electricity provider, to enhance the provision of solar electricity to homes and small businesses across Nigeria.

“With market intelligence provided by USAID and financing provided by OPIC, Lumos has added 30,000 new solar connections in Nigeria since the beginning of the partnership,” Stuart Symington said.

The ambassador emphasized on the need to expand access to on and off grid energy so as to boost business activities.

“Expanding both on and off-grid access to energy will not only help individuals and businesses but will help overcome some of the obstacles to Nigeria being able to fulfil its full economic potential. Power Africa has mobilized $40 billion in private sector commitments in order to increase access to electricity through both on and off grid generation and distribution projects across sub-Saharan Africa,” he added.

Anita Fatunji