As Nigeria moves to strengthen renewable energy manufacturing and champion local content, the European Union on Thursday said that creative partnerships between the public and private sectors, including research and innovation ecosystems, are key to achieving the country’s clean energy goals.
Describing how innovative breakthroughs are reshaping the global energy landscape, the EU praised Nigeria’s abundant and exceptional human talent and natural resources, describing them as critical ingredients for building innovation ecosystems.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, who was represented by the Deputy Ambassador, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos, disclosed this during the Nigeria Renewable Energy Innovation Forum in Abuja, according to a statement by the EU.
He highlighted how over €200 million in grants from the EU has continued to strengthen the country’s power sector since 2008.
He said, “Our most recent energy sector programme, launched in 2021 with a €100 million (₦175 billion) budget, is aimed at adding 400 megawatts of new renewable capacity by 2027, directly benefitting more than five million Nigerians.”
Mignot noted that innovation that accelerates inclusive energy and digital transformation processes has become an essential intergenerational process and an integral part of political legacies that will be duly recognised by future generations.
Explaining how proper synergy between the public and private sectors and research and innovation ecosystems works, he said, “The public sector brings the policy frameworks; the private sector brings agility and technical expertise; research institutions bring insight and innovation.”
