Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria, and Damilola Ogunbiyi, the UN Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All, visited the Iponri Market in Surulere, Lagos earlier today.
The visit focused on the inspection of the first phase of solar installations deployed within the market.
Accompanied by dignitaries including Abubakar Suleiman, the Managing Director of Sterling Bank, Caroline Eboumbou, CEO of All On, and market leaders, the inspection was aimed at engaging with end-users and gaining insights into the impact of clean and reliable energy on their business operations.
The solar projects at Iponri Market are funded by the Universal Energy Facility (UEF), a results-based finance facility administered by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and executed by SOLAD Integrated Power, a clean energy and technology company.
During the visit, Gbajabiamila and Ogunbiyi commended the initiative, highlighting its significance in making clean and sustainable energy accessible for all.
Gbajabiamila stated, “The electrification of the Iponri Market with sustainable energy solutions exemplifies Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to enhancing energy access, driving economic growth, and embracing the transformative potential of solar energy.”
Ogunbiyi added, “Sustainable energy access is the cornerstone of a brighter and more equitable future for all. Our visit to the Iponri Market today underscores our commitment to empowering communities with clean, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions.”
The UEF is a multi-donor results-based finance facility focused on accelerating and scaling up energy access across Sub-Saharan Africa in alignment with SDG7 and the Paris Agreement.
It provides grant payments to qualified renewable energy companies, supporting sustainable business models that alleviate upfront costs for adopting clean energy.
The UEF is managed by SEforALL and supported by various global entities, including the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, the Shell Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and others.
