The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has awarded a grant to Abuja-based Konexa for a feasibility study that will evaluate Nigeria’s access to reliable, privately generated renewable electricity. The study will help Konexa enhance electricity distribution for residential, commercial and industrial customers in Kaduna state using U.S. technological solutions.

“This project will support the development of critical energy infrastructure and an innovative business model to improve Nigeria’s electricity generation, transmission and distribution as well as enhance the supply of energy to off-grid customers,” said USTDA’s Acting Director Thomas R. Hardy. “It demonstrates USTDA’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic growth while creating opportunities for U.S. companies to develop world-class infrastructure.”

Specifically, USTDA’s grant will help define the technical specifications, project economics and regulatory and legal requirements to develop 2.5 megawatts of solar photovoltaic energy, as well as procure and distribute 30 megawatts of hydroelectricity within the service area. A U.S. company will be selected on a competed basis to carry out the study. USTDA’s partner, Konexa, is a Nigerian entity established to develop viable business models to accelerate energy access in developing countries.

“We are proud to be partnering with USTDA on this innovative project that has the potential to catalyze large scale private sector investment to make the distribution sector in Nigeria financially viable,” said Pradeep Pursnani, Konexa’s CEO.

This project also supports Prosper Africa, a U.S. government initiative to substantially increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and Africa.