Amanze Chinonye
Germany has confirmed that the $2.3 billion Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) with Nigeria, implemented by Siemens AG, remained largely dormant under the previous administration but has regained momentum under President Tinubu.
Johannes Lehne, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in Abuja, disclosed that while the power deal was originally agreed in 2019, implementation stalled for a prolonged period before being revived by the current administration.
The PPI was first signed during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari as a government-to-government partnership between Nigeria and Germany. The initiative is designed to overhaul Nigeria’s electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure, addressing long-standing grid bottlenecks that have constrained supply despite available generation capacity.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelUnder the Tinubu administration, officials say work has accelerated, with renewed political backing and financing arrangements to drive implementation. The project is being executed in phases, with the first phase focused on raising operational transmission capacity to about 7,000 megawatts (MW). Subsequent phases aim to expand capacity to 11,000MW and ultimately 25,000MW over the long term.
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The programme includes the supply and installation of mobile substations, transformers and the rehabilitation and expansion of existing transmission infrastructure across key locations nationwide. The Transmission Company of Nigeria is expected to play a central role in coordinating grid upgrades under the initiative, in collaboration with Siemens Energy.
The renewed push was reinforced at the 2023 United Nations climate conference, COP28, where Nigeria and Germany signed additional agreements to accelerate the implementation framework.
German officials say the revived partnership is aimed at improving grid stability, reducing system collapses and enabling more efficient evacuation of generated power. Nigeria’s grid has frequently struggled to transmit more than 4,000MW reliably, despite having higher installed generation capacity.
The renewed focus on transmission upgrades comes alongside efforts by the federal government to strengthen Nigeria’s gas-to-power value chain. With most of the country’s electricity generated from gas-fired plants, officials have emphasised that unlocking domestic gas resources and improving supply security remain critical to achieving sustained power expansion.
Energy analysts note that while the Siemens initiative primarily targets transmission and distribution infrastructure, its success will depend on complementary reforms in gas supply, market liquidity and distribution efficiency.
If fully implemented, the Presidential Power Initiative is expected to significantly enhance Nigeria’s electricity delivery capacity, improve reliability for industries and households, and support broader economic growth objectives.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
