January 23, (THEWILL) — The World Bank has approved $50 million in fresh financing to expand solar-powered agricultural infrastructure across Nigeria and five other African countries, strengthening the link between clean energy access and food production in rural communities.
The funding will support the deployment of solar-driven cold storage facilities, irrigation pumps, refrigeration units, and small processing equipment, aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and improving productivity for smallholder farmers and agribusinesses.
For Nigeria, where unreliable power supply continues to undermine agricultural value chains, the initiative is expected to ease dependence on diesel generators while lowering operating costs.
The programme forms part of a broader effort to accelerate electricity access across Africa by promoting productive uses of renewable energy rather than household consumption alone.
By powering farming and agro-processing activities, the World Bank believes the investment can unlock income growth, create rural jobs, and strengthen food security.
Beyond agriculture, the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s clean-energy transition goals and wider continental efforts to close Africa’s energy access gap, particularly in off-grid areas where solar solutions remain the most viable option.
As implementation unfolds, success will hinge on effective coordination between development partners, governments, and private operators to ensure the technologies reach farmers who need them most and deliver lasting economic impact.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze
