Kano State Government Leverages Solar Energy to Power over 100 Rural Communities

The State Government of Kano in Nigeria has launched an extensive rural electrification scheme, which targets more than 100 rural communities across the state. Under the scheme, individuals and households can access the solar-powered home systems for which the payment can be done later in installments. 

The scheme, owned by Chinese solar energy solution provider Shenzhen LEMI Technology Development Co., Ltd., and LEMI Renewable Electricity Ltd., targets to provide solar home systems to the people in small rural communities spread across the state.

The state government has signed an agreement with LEMI to provide solar facilities. The country manager of Shenzhen LEMI Technology Ltd, Monica Liang, who signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the state government, assured the community of the provision of long-lasting and quality equipment for the project.

The Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso mentioned at the launching of the scheme, that the project would create many jobs for the teeming youths across the state, as well as elevate the socio-economic status of the rural communities. 

Kwankwaso affirmed the state government’s readiness to provide all the necessary social amenities in every local government area of the state, urging the people of the rural communities to continue supporting the policies and programs of the government.

The Special Adviser on Local Governments, Laminu Sani, who represented the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Murtala Sule Garo, also stated the efforts of the state government for bringing the development to the rural communities. Sani imparted the village and ward heads to mobilize their areas to be part of the development, which will help in reducing unnecessary spending as well as improving the business activities in their areas.

Earlier, many council chairmen of local governments commended the efforts of the state government for its people-oriented programs and pledged to cooperate with the government, so as to achieve the desired objectives.

According to World Bank’s data, nearly 74% of the rural population of Nigeria still lacks access to electricity. The country’s off-grid solar energy sector has significant untapped potential which requires support from foreign renewable energy developers and investors along with the state governments to provide electricity access to the rural communities. These types of schemes by the state governments are definitely the step in the right direction to electrify millions of rural households, elevating their socio-economic status.