The Federal Government has taken a decisive step to tackle the crippling power problems facing Nigeria's manufacturing sector. It has formalised a strategic partnership with energy firm RSE Energy to roll out dedicated off-grid and embedded electricity solutions for industrial clusters across the country.
Addressing a Core Industrial Challenge
This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on 24 December 2025 in Abuja, directly targets the persistent energy shortages that have long plagued Nigerian industries. These constraints have severely undermined productivity, driven up operating costs, and limited the global competitiveness of local manufacturers. The partnership aims to provide a more reliable and cost-effective alternative to the unstable national grid.
The pilot phase for this ambitious initiative will be the Idu Industrial Cluster in Abuja. According to the agreement, RSE Energy will deploy a mix of technologies, including gas- and biomass-based systems, to power industrial zones, special economic zones, and agro-processing hubs independently.
Government and Corporate Vision Align
At the signing ceremony, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, emphasised that this move is in perfect sync with the government's broader goals for industrialisation and renewable energy adoption. He stated that the project is expected to spur job creation, attract new investments, and strengthen value chains in key economic sectors.
Senator Enoh revealed that discussions leading to this partnership began before his tenure and have been progressing steadily over the past year. He expressed confidence that RSE Energy would be a key solution provider, with the Idu pilot serving as a model for nationwide expansion.
Proven Expertise from Challenging Environments
The Chief Executive Officer of RSE Energy, Olena Nedryhailo, highlighted her company's extensive track record. She pointed to their experience in deploying decentralised co-generation systems under difficult conditions, notably in Ukraine. Nedryhailo disclosed that the company has successfully rolled out over 1,020 co-generation units in the last three years to support industrial communities.
"This experience has honed our capacity to integrate, scale, and sustain reliable energy systems," she affirmed, stating RSE Energy's readiness to be a long-term partner in building a stable, decentralised power infrastructure for Nigeria.
The Ukrainian Ambassador to Nigeria, Ivan Kholostenko, who was part of the delegation, praised the collaboration. He said it demonstrates how shared expertise and innovation can address critical development challenges in energy and industry. Ambassador Kholostenko expressed belief that the deal would strengthen bilateral ties and contribute significantly to Nigeria's industrial growth and energy transition, reaffirming Ukraine's commitment to supporting sustainable development and technology transfer.
