Nigerians will soon benefit from cheaper solar-powered appliances thanks to a new $6.1 million initiative aimed at expanding access to affordable, energy-efficient tools for homes and businesses.
The program, led by CLASP and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), will distribute 10,000 solar-powered refrigerators, water pumps, milling machines, and other equipment across Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia. This effort builds on a successful two-year pilot that brought 16,000 appliances to market and helped over 58,000 households, with nearly half of the buyers being women. The initiative offers grants, subsidies, and technical support to suppliers to lower prices and promote green job creation, aiming to empower small businesses, farmers, and low-income communities.
Emmanuel Aziebor, CLASP’s Senior Director for Africa, said, “Access to energy is foundational for economic growth. Efficient appliances turn energy into opportunity and should be considered essential infrastructure.” Nigerian shopkeeper Abibat Akinwale shared her experience, saying the solar fridge she acquired through the program has boosted her sales by allowing her to sell cold drinks without debt from buying ice blocks.
With rising fuel prices and unreliable electricity, solar solutions are becoming more attractive to Nigerians, offering a stable and cost-effective alternative. This program is also expected to create over 3,000 green jobs and support economic growth by making clean energy tools more affordable and accessible.
This subsidy scheme marks a significant step toward wider adoption of solar technology in Nigeria, helping reduce dependence on costly fuel imports and improving livelihoods in rural and urban communities.
