REA seals key deals to boost clean energy, food security, innovation
…set to deepen clean energy transition, food security
L-R: The Managing Director/CEO, Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX), Mr Anthomy Atuche with the Managing Director of Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Dr Abba Aliyu during the signing of a Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between both organisations recently.
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has signed two major Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) and the Young Innovators of Nigeria (YIN) to drive clean energy expansion, boost agro-industrial growth, and strengthen innovation-led economic development across Nigeria.
The agreements mark a major step in the agency’s evolving role beyond electricity access, positioning the REA as a key driver of industrial growth, productive infrastructure, innovation, and sustainable economic transformation.
The first agreement, signed with the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX), focuses on developing agro-industrial clusters, expanding renewable energy deployment, and formalising commodity trade nationwide in support of the Federal Government’s food security agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Under the partnership, the REA and NCX will integrate renewable energy infrastructure into agricultural value chains across the country. The collaboration aims to establish a scalable national model linking reliable solar-powered systems with commodity aggregation, processing, storage, trading, and export infrastructure.
The initiative is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, improve value retention for agricultural produce, strengthen food security, boost agro-industrial productivity, and increase non-oil export earnings.
The partnership also underscores the growing importance of energy access as a critical driver of agricultural productivity and national economic growth.
In a separate agreement, the REA partnered with the Young Innovators of Nigeria (YIN) to jointly host and implement the Technology Ecosystem Dialogue (TED), a platform focused on innovation, digital transformation, clean energy, and smart mobility.
YIN, which has trained and empowered more than 30,000 young Nigerians through technology and entrepreneurship programmes, works to bridge Nigeria’s digital skills gap by supporting youths, women, startup founders, and persons with disabilities.
Under the collaboration, both organisations will mobilise resources, engage stakeholders, and organise the Technology Ecosystem Dialogue annually in line with national priorities on innovation and sustainable development.
The REA will provide institutional support and technical expertise, particularly in clean energy and sustainability, while participating in policy discussions, exhibitions, hackathons, and stakeholder engagements.
The partnership is expected to deepen conversations around renewable energy, emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, and sustainable infrastructure development.
Speaking on the agreements, the REA reaffirmed its commitment to building integrated development systems capable of driving inclusive economic growth, innovation, and sustainable livelihoods across Nigeria.
The agency said the partnerships reflect its expanding strategic role in linking renewable energy deployment with national priorities such as food security, industrialisation, technology innovation, youth development, and economic resilience.
