The question is often asked about the role of civil society in Energy Access conversations and what impact or contributions they make to the “access continuum”. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), by their very definition, can be very amorphous in terms of range, scope, and structure. However, what is well known is that they serve as a bridge between the government and the people as they advocate for oppressed communities, and push certain beneficial policies that strengthen the accountability of the government to the people and ensure that citizens’ rights are protected in all ramification.
For over 50 years since her Independence, millions of Nigerians continue to live without electricity. The data from the World Bank shows that 41% of the population does not have access to electricity which means that about 76 million people are living on the lower fringes of the energy ladder. This situation has led to over 20% of Nigerians especially women and children in rural communities relying on the use of kerosene and firewood for lighting and cooking, making them very vulnerable to poisoning, tuberculosis, pneumonia, pulmonary damage, hypertension, miscarriages, and other health problems.
The Nigerian government has introduced policies and programs and has spent billions of dollars to boost electricity generation in the country. However, despite their best efforts, there have not been any positive significant changes as the country currently only has a generation capacity of a little over 5,000 MW – a far cry from what is required to service the energy needs of millions of Nigerian households, or micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.
At the global level, the United Nations has, with the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stated clearly in Goal Seven to put an end to energy poverty by 2030. Since the adoption of these goals, there has been an energy paradigm shift with a lot of countries waking up to the numerous socio-economic opportunities that electricity access powered by renewable energy generation and distribution provides in line with SDG goal 7. This has resulted in millions of un-electrified persons dramatically moving up the energy ladder relatively quickly. In developing countries, it is clear that rural and last-mile communities have a fighting chance at improving their lives and livelihoods through clean affordable energy in order to benefit from modern medical advancements, improved education standards, job growth, and economic potential.
So where do Civil Society Organizations come in? Over the last five years, the Government of Nigeria has steadily recognized the need for the inclusion of Civil Society Organizations in the formulation of important policies and programs that have lasting implications for the masses. For example, the Ministry of Power held a Civil Society Organization Consultation workshop on the Power Sector Recovery Program (PRSP) on the 31st of January aimed at solving the major power sector-related problems that have plagued the country. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has also organized a series of CSOs workshops to get their input on the Meter Asset Provider Regulations (MAP) which came into effect in March 2018 and has hosted numerous town-hall meetings with civil society groups on numerous regulations impacting different communities of electricity consumers. The Commission, in recognizing the need for consumer protection also created the Network for Electricity Consumer Advocacy of Nigeria (NECAN) in 2016. It is therefore not far-fetched to see that CSOs are greatly instrumental in driving the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). This is why concerted efforts must be made to integrate them into the systemic and organic growth of the off-grid renewable energy sector in Nigeria, especially given their proactive nature – naturally devoid of bureaucracy.
Civil Society Organizations focused on the power sector can be strong and passionate voices at the grassroots level, ensuring that the attainment of Goal 7 of the SDGs remains a primary priority of the Nigerian government through lobbying and strategic advocacy for community-led decentralized renewable energy projects. Civil Society groups also have active roles to play in driving investments and ensuring that communities are open to the quick and safe deployment of clean technology solutions nationwide through capacity building and increased awareness-building training and programs.
The question that then arises is how do we activate a vibrant civil society network spread across communities in a way that ensures that millions in the country that are yet to see any blink of light in decades will finally have a reason to smile. The reality lies in strengthening the bond between CSOs and the renewable energy sector through periodic knowledge building, information exchange as well as strategic collaborations.
The renewable energy sector across Sub-Saharan Africa is at an inflection point with countries like Nigeria setting out to achieve large ambitious electrification and access goals through decentralized renewable energy with the great strides being made in the sector, perhaps the most important one has been the formation of the DRE Task Force under the “Scaling Off-Grid Energy” project by Power for All. The Task Force is made up of various stakeholders ranging from government officials, donor agencies, financial institutions, Civil Society Organizations, and Private Companies amongst others. The Task Force works in smaller subsets of Working Groups Committees with different thematic focus areas.
There is a Zero Duties and Tariffs Working Group concerned with ensuring that renewable energy components brought into Nigeria obtain benefits from zero taxes and tariffs to reduce their costs and ensure affordability. There is a Consumer Awareness Working group that is able to educate and inform about renewable energy technologies and their numerous benefit. The Digital Working Group is focused on the simplification of consumer payment, especially through the use of mobile money technologies. The other two working groups are focused on Collaborative Data Sharing in the sector and on Standardization respectively.
If the purpose of this Task Force is to be achieved, CSOs then have a pivotal role to play by putting pressure on the Nigerian government to ensure that zero duties on all renewable energy components remain intact on paper and in practice through sustained and collaborative advocacy. They can through their vast community-based networks drive awareness of clean energy solutions, including raising awareness for benefit of the MSMEs operating in rural and peri-urban communities and also further ensure that these households and communities will not be exploited by the private renewable energy companies. They can act as watchdogs and ensure spending accountability for renewable energy projects that are focused on states across the country.
Recognizing the potential impact of CSOs in providing the stimulus for the renewable energy space, Power for All has also held several medium-sized focus group discussions around transitioning to efficient lighting with numerous community-based organizations and non-profit groups across several parts of the country. These engagements revealed that several communities – through their advocacy and partner groups are greatly prepared to adopt off-grid clean technology solutions to solve the electricity problem of the country.
These focus group engagements had conversations centred around transitioning communities from the use of harmful fuel for cooking or lighting and the quick and easy adoption of renewable energy systems based on household consumption and usage. At these pieces of training and focus group discussions, many CSOs and CBOs were further exposed to dangerous hazards linked to the use of inefficient energy sources and how with clean renewable energy they can live cleaner and healthier lives. The most popular component of the training and focus group discussions lies in the opportunities provided by renewable energy technologies and services for job creation for millions of Nigerians, thereby reducing the high level of unemployment in the country.
The Energy dividends associated with the adoption of clean and renewable energy options means are enormous including better safety for women, and better education outcomes for children who are able to access better lighting for studying – thus boosting their academic performances.
With most countries in the world moving further away from fossil fuel to greener and sustainable energy sources, Nigeria needs a vibrant CSO sector focused both as a strong advocate for cleaner access to electricity and as an accountability watchdog, holding the government to account for its promises and policies and further ensuring that market forces in this emerging energy eco-system do not leave anyone. So to go back to the question of what roles Civil Society has to play in driving Decentralized Renewables in Nigeria – it is clear, that they play a critical role in permanently altering the perception of Nigeria as a nation covered by darkness and ensuring that there is Power for All by 2025.
* Daramfon Bassey is the Nigeria Lead Civil Society and Sustainability at Power for All
* Ifeoma Malo is the Nigeria Country Director at Power for All.