EU Commits €10.4 Million to Power Nigeria’s Health Centres with Solar Energy

By Achimi muktar

In a bold move that could transform healthcare delivery across Nigeria, the European Union (EU) has pledged a whopping €10.4 million to power primary healthcare centres using solar energy—ushering in what experts are calling a “game-changer” for the nation’s healthcare system.

The Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP), unveiled at a Project Developers Roundtable Workshop in Abuja on Tuesday, is designed to provide 24-hour clean, efficient, and sustainable energy to health facilities in selected states across the country.

Inga Stephanowicz, Head of Section, Green & Digital Economy at the EU, described the initiative as a major milestone not just for healthcare but for Nigeria’s broader development goals.

“This €10.4 million initiative, funded by the European Union, marks a milestone in the project’s implementation in Nigeria,” she said. “It will provide reliable energy to boost healthcare services and outcomes nationwide.”

The plan? To power 45 healthcare centres with solar energy, giving them uninterrupted electricity to support critical medical services like emergency care, vaccine refrigeration, and childbirth procedures.

But this project doesn’t stop at healthcare. According to Stephanowicz, the EU is working hand-in-hand with the Nigerian government, local communities, and private sector partners to bring power not only to hospitals but also to small businesses, telecom towers, and underserved rural communities.

“By collaborating with state government actors in a targeted electricity market and leveraging available counterpart funds, the project aims to electrify not just health centers but also SMEs and telecom infrastructure,” she added.

This multi-sector approach is expected to stimulate economic growth, promote sustainable development, and create a ripple effect of progress in areas long left in the dark.

Nasiru Bello, Team Lead for NISHP, emphasized that the integration of solar technology into Nigeria’s health sector could be the key to unlocking a more resilient healthcare system.

“The NISHP is a step in the right direction towards a brighter, more sustainable future for Nigeria’s healthcare sector,” Bello said. “With continued support and effective implementation, this initiative can make a lasting difference in the lives of millions of Nigerians.”

Bello also revealed the project’s potential as a model for future clean energy projects across Africa, signaling the EU’s deepening commitment to sustainable development on the continent.

Rural communities are set to benefit the most from this intervention. Tinyan Ogiehor, NISHP’s Stakeholders Engagement Expert, said the project would directly address the energy poverty crippling rural health centres, where reliable electricity is nearly non-existent.

“By leveraging solar power, Nigeria can reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, mitigate climate change, and promote sustainable energy solutions,” Ogiehor explained. “This project will enhance medical care, improve vaccine storage, and strengthen emergency services in hard-to-reach areas.”

The project has already launched in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Plateau, and Enugu, with more states set to join. It will run from 2024 to 2027, with the ultimate goal of creating a healthcare system powered by the sun—and hope.

If successful, this could be the start of something massive—not just for Nigeria, but for energy-deficient healthcare systems across Africa.