Nigeria’s Power Sector Expanding Electricity Access Under Mission 300 | Talking Development

Reliable and affordable electricity is essential to jobs, growth, and economic transformation. In this episode of Talking Development, World Bank Managing Director Anna Bjerde speaks with Folake Soetan, CEO of Ikeja Electric, about how expanding electricity access in Nigeria can unlock productivity, attract investment, and create jobs. Nigeria has Africa’s largest population without electricity access, making it central to Mission 300 — a joint effort to bring power to 300 million people across Africa by 2030. The conversation explores the role of distribution companies, power sector reform, metering, private investment, and public‑private partnerships in strengthening Nigeria’s electricity system. Learn more about Mission 300 and the World Bank Group’s work on energy access: http://wrld.bg/eB4K50YwMSm 💬 How can power sector reforms help unlock jobs and growth in Nigeria? Share your thoughts in the comments. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Electricity and economic transformation 00:49 Nigeria’s electricity access challenge 01:20 Mission 300 and Nigeria’s role 01:56 The role of distribution companies 02:29 Ikeja Electric’s growth and metering reforms 03:44 Reducing losses and attracting investment 04:15 Power capacity, infrastructure gaps, and financing 05:25 Private sector investment and reform priorities 07:25 The role of the World Bank and IFC 09:01 Anna's take 🌐 The World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development on a livable planet. http://www.worldbank.org #ElectricityAccess #NigeriaEnergy #Mission300 #WorldBank #AfricaDevelopment