The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has renewed its partnership with German tech firm VIDA to use AI-driven data analytics for Nigeria's $750 million rural electrification program.This collaboration, formalized in Abuja, aims to strategically deploy 1,350 mini-grids to electrify 17.5 million Nigerians.REA CEO Abba Abubakar Aliyu emphasized that reliable data is critical for targeting underserved communities efficiently.VIDA's AI platform maps households, analyzes socio-economic factors, and identifies unelectrified areas, reducing field survey costs.The partnership, now extended for another year, also supports broader economic planning and knowledge transfer.VIDA CEO Tobias Engelmeier highlighted how AI improves transparency and accelerates private sector investment in renewable energy projects.

The collaboration with the World Bank and other partners demonstrates AI's role in enhancing infrastructure planning and renewable energy transitions.