From Policy to People: How NASENI’s Clean Energy Push in Kano is Powering Homes and Driving Businesses

In Kano, a city whose history is woven into the fabric of West Africa’s commerce and industry, a different kind of transformation is quietly gaining momentum. On April 28, 2026, that transformation took centre stage as the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) flagged-off its Sustainable Empowerment Programme, delivering clean cookstoves, solar home […]

In Kano, a city whose history is woven into the fabric of West Africa’s commerce and industry, a different kind of transformation is quietly gaining momentum. On April 28, 2026, that transformation took centre stage as the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) flagged-off its Sustainable Empowerment Programme, delivering clean cookstoves, solar home systems and practical energy solutions to more than 2,000 households.

Held at the Fabs Event Centre, the programme drew a cross-section of policymakers, technocrats, traditional leaders and thousands of beneficiaries. The event reflected something deeper: an attempt to translate Nigeria’s industrial and economic policies into tangible outcomes for ordinary citizens.

For the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, who flagged-off the initiative, it represents precisely that bridge between policy and people. “It is a practical demonstration of how Nigeria’s industrial, trade, and investment agenda is being translated into real outcomes for citizens,” she said.

The Minister described the initiative as a clear expression of the Federal Government’s economic direction, particularly under the ‘Nigeria First Policy’. With a population exceeding 210 million and one of the largest consumer markets in Africa, Nigeria’s economic sustainability, she noted, depends on its ability to meet domestic demand through local production and innovation.

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In that context, NASENI’s intervention in deploying Nigerian-made clean energy solutions directly into households becomes more than an empowerment exercise; it is a strategic economic act. At the heart of the programme lies a simple but critical reality: energy access remains one of the most significant barriers to productivity for millions of Nigerians.

From unreliable electricity supply to dependence on firewood for cooking, the consequences are far-reaching; affecting health, income, education and overall quality of life. “Energy access remains one of the largest productivity bottlenecks for many Nigerians. Millions of households and businesses continue to face unreliable energy access, directly affecting productivity, income generation, and quality of life,” she said.

Dr. Oduwole noted that clean and decentralized energy solutions should be viewed not merely as environmental interventions, but as core economic infrastructure. “This programme addresses that reality by providing practical tools that reduce vulnerability while enhancing economic participation,” she noted. For NASENI, the programme reflects its core mandate: developing and deploying practical, homegrown technological solutions.

NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, addressing the crowd in a mix of simplicity and conviction, emphasised that the initiative was designed around the everyday realities of Nigerians. “Many families still depend on firewood. It takes time, effort, and money. It also affects health, especially for women and children who are exposed to smoke every day.

“That is why we are bringing clean cookstoves that reduce smoke and save fuel, and solar home systems that provide reliable electricity.” Importantly, he stressed that these solutions are locally developed. “These are Nigerian-made solutions, built for Nigerian realities. This programme is not just empowerment. It is about dignity. It is about improving your quality of life. It is about giving you tools to do more, earn more, and live better,” Halilu told beneficiaries.

This framing resonates strongly in communities where access to reliable energy can determine whether a small business thrives or fails, whether a child studies at night or not, and whether a family cooks safely or at risk to their health. With better energy, small businesses can grow. People can work longer, produce more, and earn better.

While Kano marks the beginning, NASENI has made it clear that the programme is part of a broader national strategy. “This programme will not stop in Kano. It is part of a national rollout that will reach other regions across Nigeria. Our goal is simple: no community should be left behind,” Halilu said.

To beneficiaries, the message was clear: the items received are not handouts, but productive assets to strengthen livelihoods, create enterprise, and contribute to local economic expansion.

The choice of Kano as the launchpad underscores the programme’s economic logic. Historically one of West Africa’s foremost commercial hubs, Kano’s economy is deeply rooted in trade, manufacturing and enterprise. As Nigeria advances its participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Kano is expected to play an increasingly vital role in regional trade and industrial competitiveness.

The NASENI Sustainable Empowerment Programme coincided with the pilot phase of the AfCFTA Public-Private-Press (P3) Subnational Engagement in the North-West zone—an effort aimed at translating continental trade frameworks into local economic opportunities. The connection between NASENI’s clean energy solutions and AfCFTA was further highlighted by stakeholders at the event.

National Coordinator, AfCFTA, Mrs. Patience Okala expressed optimism about the export potential of the NASENI technologies. “I am particularly inspired by what I see on the stage today. These are Nigerian-made solutions for Nigerian problems. Our expectation is that we will not just take them around the country, but we will make them export-ready under the AfCFTA,” she said.

The vision is ambitious, which is to scale locally developed clean energy technologies beyond Nigeria’s borders, generating foreign exchange while addressing similar challenges across Africa. “This shows us what is possible under the AfCFTA. We are delighted to associate ourselves with this empowerment programme,” she added.

Head of Service, Kano State Government, represented by Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Salisu Mustapha highlighted the broader significance of the NASENI initiative. “Bringing indigenous innovations closer to the communities isn’t just sharing technology. It’s about bridging the gap between ancestral wisdom and modern application.”

He said “Providing renewable energy to underserved communities creates a virtuous cycle that simultaneously tackles economic, social and health barriers”, adding that localized solutions can act as catalysts for sustainable development, offering benefits such as economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, and social equity.

The health implications of the programme are particularly significant. Traditional cooking methods using firewood and charcoal are major sources of indoor air pollution, contributing to respiratory illnesses, eye problems and other health risks. The environmental benefits are equally compelling. Reduced reliance on firewood helps combat deforestation, while lower carbon emissions contribute to climate change mitigation, added Mustapha.

Beyond individual households, the programme is expected to contribute to broader economic resilience. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which account for about 96 per cent of businesses in Nigeria and nearly half of the country’s GDP, stand to benefit significantly from improved energy access. With reliable power, small businesses can extend operating hours, reduce costs, and increase productivity.

This ambition reflects recognition that addressing energy poverty at scale requires sustained commitment and coordination. For the thousands of beneficiaries who left the venue with new tools in hand, the significance of the day extends beyond policy language and official speeches. It lies in the promise of safer kitchens, brighter homes, and more productive livelihoods.

This NASENI initiative offers a reminder that real progress is measured in everyday experiences. And in Kano, on that April day, progress arrived not as an abstract concept, but as something tangible—something that can be switched on, cooked with, and built upon. It marks the beginning of a broader transformation by NASENI—a deliberate alignment of policy with innovation and people.