The South South Development Commission, South South Development Commission, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Rural Electrification Agency, Rural Electrification Agency, to scale up electricity access and support sustainable development across the South South region.
The agreement was formalised at the REA headquarters in Abuja over the weekend.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the SSDC, Usoro Akpabio, said the partnership marks a strategic step toward unlocking economic growth in the region. She said reliable electricity underpins development and remains essential to productivity, job creation, and improved living standards.
She added that the collaboration will prioritise underserved communities, with a focus on boosting local enterprise and accelerating socio economic progress across the zone.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a landmark agreement that sets a clear framework for joint project development and delivery. He said the partnership will help close electricity gaps in rural and peri urban areas.
Aliyu praised the SSDC leadership for its proactive development approach and said institutions must adopt innovative funding models beyond government subventions. He noted that the REA has diversified its revenue base to sustain efficient nationwide project delivery.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Projects at the SSDC, Marcus Nle Eji, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to the partnership and pledged full support for the implementation of joint initiatives.
The MoU is expected to strengthen funding and execution frameworks for critical power infrastructure projects and advance inclusive development across the South South. Observers say the partnership addresses long standing electricity challenges and positions the region for faster growth.
