Index to Nigerian Newspapers

A substantial number of African citizens, estimated at over 600 million may not have access to electricity by 2030 unless drastic remedial measures are taken, Managing Director, Operations, World bank, Anna Bjerde, said. Of the figure, 45 milion Nigerians belong to the category of people that will be without electricity. She stated this yesterday in Abuja while addressing West and Central African Ministers of Finance on the importance of universal electricity access. She however expressed the bank's readiness to support countries in achieveing electricity access. To tackle the gap in Nigeria, the World Bank and the Federal Government are collaborating to expand access to over 70million rural Nigerians through renewable energy solutions. Bjerde highlighted the importance of mobilising public resources, private sector involvement, and domestic resources to achieve this turning point. She also disucussed the progress made in increasing broadband penetration in Africa. The world Bank's financing to sub-Sahara Africa has significantly increased over the years, with an estimated $44 billion allocated to country adaptations during the current IDA23 cycle.