LAGOS, NIGERIA. The Bank of Industry (BOI) and All On announce the establishment of a N1billion Niger Delta Off-Grid Energy Fund. The fund will provide local currency debt financing to facilitate the deployment of energy solutions by access-to-energy companies in the Niger Delta at 10% interest rate per annum (with a one-year moratorium) and tenor of up to seven years. The objective of the fund is to stimulate the growth and geographic spread of off-grid energy businesses in the Niger Delta to enable households, SMEs and communities have access to clean, affordable and reliable power solutions.

In the Niger Delta, the majority of the population resides in rural areas and only 34% of these have access to reliable grid power. The result is that SMEs in the region use expensive and inefficient diesel and petrol generators, increasing their operational costs, families cook with firewood or kerosene while children study with flashlights or candles with the attendant negative health and safety concerns. The provision of clean, affordable, and reliable sources of energy is therefore essential for improved economic activity and livelihoods of the people of the region.

Speaking at the signing ceremony for the agreement, Mr. Olukayode Pitan, MD, BOI, a foremost Development Finance Institution in Nigeria, “Bank of Industry keeps seeking and exploring strategic partnerships with reputable institutions like All On in developing sustainable solutions to facilitate social and industrial development. Power is a critical resource towards achieving industrialization, and is also a major cost driver for SMEs in Nigeria. We are therefore particularly pleased with this partnership as the deployment of this fund will provide clean energy at affordable interest rate and friendly conditions not only to SMEs, but also to households and communities in the Niger Delta region of the country.”

According to Dr. Wiebe Boer, the CEO of All On, a Nigerian off grid energy investment company backed by Shell, “We are excited to partner with the Bank of Industry on the Niger Delta Off-Grid Energy Fund because of their reputation as Nigeria’s leading Development Finance Institutions and their deep experience as one of the earliest investors in the Nigerian off grid energy sector. This partnership will go a long way to encourage off grid energy companies to deploy in the Niger Delta and address the massive access to energy gap in the region.”

The N1 billion fund is funded equally by the two institutions but will be operated by the Bank of Industry.

About All On

All On, an independent impact investing company, was seeded with funding from Shell, and works with partners to increase access to commercial energy products and services for under-served and un-served off-grid energy markets in Nigeria, with a special focus on the Niger Delta. All On invests in off-grid energy solutions spanning solar, wind, hydro, biomass and gas technologies deployed by both foreign and local access-to-energy companies that complement available grid power across Nigeria and help bridge the significant energy gap.

To learn more, please visit: www.all-on.com Communications Contact: Falade Adebanke. Email: All-On-Communications@all-on.com

About the Bank of Industry (BOI)

BOI is Nigeria’s oldest, largest and most successful development financing institution. BOI has created a strong reputation for driving economic growth and has successfully entered multiple partnership with local and international public and private organizations. Disclaimer: This communication is made on behalf of All On only and does not necessarily reflect the views or policy of our partners. To learn more, please visit: https://www.boi.ng/.