The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jigawa State Government, the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX), and Astound Power Limited to deliver 7 megawatts (MW) of electricity to support agro-industrial development across seven states.
According to a statement by the REA, the agreement was signed during the Jigawa Investment Summit (J-Invest 2026) and will power a multi-state public-private partnership (PPP) initiative covering seven Agro-Industrial Clusters in Jigawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Osun and Ebonyi states.
The summit brought together policymakers, investors, development partners and private sector stakeholders to explore strategies for accelerating sustainable economic growth in Jigawa State. Vice President Kashim Shettima officially declared the event open.
Under the agreement, the REA will deploy electricity infrastructure to power irrigation systems and agricultural processing facilities, while the Nigerian Commodity Exchange will provide NCX-backed warehouse receipts to eligible farmers and aggregators to facilitate exports.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, REA Managing Director, Dr. Abba Aliyu, said reliable electricity remains a critical driver of investment, industrialisation and job creation across the country.
Aliyu said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to integrating clean energy with agriculture to strengthen food security, create sustainable employment and unlock greater economic value for farmers and rural communities.
He added that access to reliable energy is essential for the growth of agriculture, manufacturing, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and other rural businesses, stressing that investment naturally follows opportunity and institutional confidence.
“One of the strongest signals any government can send is a clear commitment to creating an environment where businesses can thrive,” he said.
