Nigeria has secured a $238 million loan from JICA to modernize and expand its power grid.
The facility, backed by counterpart funding, targets new substations, transmission lines, and reduced system losses.
The Federal Government has finalized a $238 million loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to expand and modernize Nigeria’s power transmission network. The deal was reached during the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, following talks led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
In a statement on Friday, President Tinubu said Nigeria’s engagement at TICAD9 was anchored on tangible outcomes. “We are moving from planning to implementation, from agreements to delivery, and from promises to measurable results,” he stated.
The financing, complemented by a Federal Executive Council counterpart contribution of N19.08 billion, will be directed toward critical transmission projects. These include the construction of nearly 103km of 330kV double-circuit lines, more than 104km of 132kV double-circuit lines, four new 330/132/33kV substations, two 132/33kV substations, and several line bay extensions designed to enhance efficiency and cut transmission losses.
Minister Adelabu explained that the facility aligns with Nigeria’s broader strategy to upgrade its power grid, noting that engagements with Japanese companies such as Toshiba, Hitachi, and the Japan Transmission & Distribution Corporation were key to unlocking the sector’s potential. “Our priority is on transmission capacity, operational efficiency, and cutting system losses. This JICA facility is central to that transformation,” he said.
He also commended Japan for its consistent partnership, pointing to JICA’s wider contributions through infrastructure support, capacity building, technical studies, and sector financing.
