UNEP’s United for Efficiency (U4E) initiative signed a landmark agreement with Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to pilot the deployment of energy-efficient, climate-friendly off-grid refrigeration solutions in rural communities.

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The project seeks to address one of the most pressing gaps in rural energy access: the lack of sustainable cooling for food preservation, healthcare, and economic development. The joint team will work with local companies to test scalable models for enhancing access to refrigeration in characteristic underserved areas in Nigeria.

“Access to reliable and sustainable refrigeration is a cornerstone of development. Through this collaboration with REA, we are not only promoting the adoption of energy-efficient and climate-friendly technologies in an off-grid setting but demonstrating how practical collaboration can empower families and local businesses, strengthen food systems, and build resilience”, said Brian Holuj, U4E’s Programme Manager.

As the primary implementing partner, REA will build on its extensive experience in deploying off-grid energy solutions. This project aligns with the REA’s objective of promoting energy-efficiency to complement off-grid electrification efforts.

“This partnership with U4E initiative marks a significant step forward in our mission to deliver not just provide electricity access, but meaningful development for Nigeria’s rural communities. With off-grid refrigeration solutions, households, farmers, and clinics can preserve food and medicine more effectively—helping to reduce waste, improve the preservation of food, and create new economic opportunities that align with our national electrification and resilience goals”, said Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency.

The project will be implemented in three phases:

1. Market Assessment – Identifying rural communities with strong demand for off-grid refrigeration and mapping local needs, supply chain gaps, and explore potential business models.
2. Community Awareness and Engagement – Organizing stakeholder workshops and local engagement campaigns to build understanding and interest in the technology.
3. Pilot Deployment – Installing a minimum of 40 off-grid refrigeration units in selected communities. These systems will be closely monitored to evaluate technical performance, user experience, and their broader socio-economic impact.

REA with U4E technical assistance will identify pilot sites, facilitate deployment and monitoring, and coordinate community engagement. The project is expected to run through October 2025 and will culminate in a comprehensive impact assessment and policy recommendations for scaling up through future project opportunities.

The pilot will use the Model Quality and Performance Guidelines for Off-Grid Refrigerating Appliances developed by U4E in consultation with leading global experts, ensuring that high-quality, environmentally responsible technologies are promoted. The results are expected to help inform national policy, spur market development, and support Nigeria’s broader climate and energy goals.

By piloting innovative off-grid solutions tailored to the socio-economic and environmental conditions of rural areas, this initiative aims to drive sustainable development, building upon U4E’s ongoing successful work in Nigeria on new air conditioner regulations and complementing a new consumer finance scheme for cooling appliances.