Nearly 100,000 people are expected to benefit from a new investment aimed at tackling one of the most basic constraints to economic activity in underserved Nigerian communities: reliable electricity. All On and Energise Africa are providing $4 million to Maskh Nigeria Limited to expand solar-powered mini-grids across 19 communities in Jigawa and Bauchi states, bringing renewable energy to households, businesses and essential public services.
The project is expected to improve access to reliable and affordable electricity for households, small businesses, schools, health facilities and other public institutions that currently face limited or unreliable power supply. For local businesses, improved access to electricity could support longer and more consistent operating hours, while essential services could benefit from a more dependable source of power.
Investment to Support Communities and Businesses
The investment is being made through the Demand Aggregation for Renewable Energy Technology (DART) Programme and will support the development and deployment of renewable energy infrastructure across the two states.
Beyond electricity access, the project is expected to support productive-use customers, local businesses and wider community economic activity while reducing reliance on conventional energy sources. The expansion is also expected to create employment opportunities as Maskh strengthens its capacity to deliver renewable energy projects.
Qaim Mahmood, Director of Operations and Head of Renewable Energy Projects at Maskh Nigeria Limited, said the company was proud of the scale of the project and its potential impact.
“As an indigenous company, we are proud that these 19 mini-grids will impact almost 100,000 people, helping businesses thrive, improving essential services and creating opportunities for the next generation,” Mahmood said.
He added that the investment would represent an important step in Maskh’s growth by strengthening its capacity, creating jobs and positioning the company for greater opportunities.
Maskh Nigeria Limited provides services across renewable energy, construction, engineering, electrification and procurement, with experience working with both public and private sector organisations. Its role in the project will place the company at the centre of efforts to expand decentralised energy infrastructure in the two states.
Strengthening Nigeria’s Renewable Energy Sector
All On Partnerships for Energy Access is an independent impact investment company seeded by Shell to support Nigeria’s off-grid energy sector. It provides debt, equity and non-financial support to Nigerian energy companies developing renewable energy solutions for households and small businesses.
Caroline Eboumbou, CEO of All On, said the investment reflects the importance of linking energy access with wider economic development.
“Energy access is not simply about connecting communities to electricity; it is about creating the conditions for people and businesses to thrive,” she said. Eboumbou added that the investment demonstrates All On’s commitment to backing indigenous energy companies capable of delivering practical and scalable solutions to Nigeria’s energy access challenges.
Energise Africa is a UK-based direct impact investment platform that connects individual investors with clean energy projects across sub-Saharan Africa and other emerging markets. Since launching in 2017, it has raised more than £50 million for over 250 projects, with investors able to fund bonds issued by clean energy companies from £50.
The platform was established as a joint venture between UK impact investment platform Ethex and Netherlands-based Lendahand and is now wholly owned by Ethex.
Ray Coyle, CEO of Energise Africa, said the project would allow UK investors to contribute to long-term social and economic development in Nigeria.
“By helping to bring clean, reliable power to nineteen communities across Jigawa and Bauchi States, UK investors are supporting lasting social, economic and environmental impact that will benefit thousands of people in Nigeria,” Coyle said.
The announcement comes four days after All On launched its Innovation Ecosystem Development Programme (AO-IEDP), a 12-month initiative designed to accelerate the growth of clean energy start-ups and entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
Together, the initiatives reflect growing investment in decentralised energy solutions as Nigeria seeks to expand electricity access while creating opportunities for businesses and communities to participate in the country’s clean energy transition.
