UNIDO Launches Hydropower Centre to Boost Nigeria’s Renewable Energy Drive

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with funding support from the China International Development Cooperation Agency, has launched a Small Hydropower (SHP) Centre of Excellence in Nigeria to tap into the country’s largely undeveloped renewable energy potential.

The initiative, unveiled in Abuja, is the first of its kind in Nigeria and across the West African sub-region. It is designed to serve as a regional hub for knowledge transfer, technical training and policy guidance in small hydropower development, with a strong focus on improving energy access and supporting sustainable growth.

The Centre will be hosted at the University of Abuja and is expected to promote hybrid renewable energy solutions that combine small hydropower with solar and wind technologies.

This approach is aimed at strengthening energy resilience, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

According to UNIDO’s Regional Director and Representative to ECOWAS, Philbert Johnson, said Nigeria has vast renewable energy resources, including hydropower, solar, biomass and wind, yet less than 5 percent of its small hydropower potential has been developed due to technical, financial and policy constraints.Nigerian investment opportunities

He noted that the Centre will play a key role in addressing these challenges by building local capacity, supporting policy development and improving access to clean energy.

He added that it will also help drive rural electrification and contribute to socio-economic development across the region.

Johnson further explained that integrating small hydropower with other renewable sources will enhance sustainability and provide more reliable power supply, especially in off-grid areas where energy access remains limited.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, described the initiative as a practical step in advancing outcomes from recent China-Africa cooperation efforts.

He highlighted that Nigeria’s untapped hydropower resources, combined with existing energy challenges, make small hydropower a viable and efficient solution, particularly for rural and remote areas. Nigerian investment opportunities

He added that the project is being implemented through trilateral cooperation between China, Nigeria and UNIDO, with financial backing from the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund of China.

Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Hakeem Fawehinmi, commended the project, describing it as a major step toward bridging Nigeria’s energy gap. He said the initiative aligns with broader national development goals and supports efforts to improve energy access, industrial growth and sustainability. Nigerian investment opportunities

He emphasized that the Centre would foster collaboration, knowledge exchange and integration of renewable energy solutions such as solar and wind, positioning it as a key driver of Nigeria’s transition toward cleaner and more reliable energy systems.