A Decade of Impact: All On Powering Nigeria’s Energy Future
Ugo Amadi
In a country where nearly half the population lacked electricity as recently as 2016, the journey toward universal energy access has been a daunting uphill climb. However, over the last decade, All On—an independent impact investing company seeded by Shell—has emerged as a pivotal force in reshaping this landscape.
By the end of 2025, All On’s strategic interventions had reportedly transformed over one million lives across Nigeria. As the organization marks its 10-year milestone in 2026, its “A Decade of Impact” report serves as both a retrospective of hard-won progress and a roadmap for Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
Catalysing a Maturing Market
When All On entered the market, the off-grid sector faced a staggering 92% annual funding gap. The organization’s success stems from a “risk-tolerant” strategy that prioritised early-stage ventures often ignored by traditional commercial banks.
Since 2018, total renewable energy sector investment in Nigeria has nearly tripled, growing from $90 million to over $250 million. All On-supported businesses have expanded clean energy capacity to 25MW, a ten-fold increase for many supported developers.
The firm has invested in over 50 clean energy businesses and provided grants or technical assistance to more than 80 others.
Impact Beyond the Grid
The true measure of All On’s decade is found in the everyday lives of Nigerians. Reliable power is no longer a luxury for many; it is an economic engine.
Households using All On-supported solar solutions spend an average of ₦10,000 monthly on energy, compared to roughly ₦44,750 for those dependent on diesel generators.
Small businesses reported over 85% revenue growth once they gained access to reliable off-grid power.Half of supported households reported improved air quality and reduced noise pollution, leading to better overall health and safety.
A standout intervention in recent years has been the Demand Aggregation for Renewable Technology (DART) programme. By bundling equipment purchases for multiple developers, DART helped cut procurement costs by 25–50% between 2022 and 2024, making clean energy even more competitive against fossil fuels.
Lighting Up the Niger Delta
For decades, the Niger Delta has powered Nigeria as its industrial heartbeat, yet many of its coastal communities have remained ironically “in the dark.” As All On marks a decade of impact in 2026, the story of Nigeria’s energy transition is most poignantly told through the individuals in this region who are finally seeing the light.
The Community of Akeddei: A New Dawn
In the riverine community of Akeddei, Bayelsa State, the arrival of steady power was once a distant dream due to the region’s complex geography. Today, a 195kWp solar hybrid minigrid—supported by a $532,828 grant from All On—is changing the community’s trajectory.
For residents like those in Akeddei, reliable electricity isn’t just about light; it’s about health and education. Local clinics can now safely store vaccines, and schools have become more reliable hubs for learning.
Local youth are no longer just onlookers; they are being trained as community-based operators to manage the grid’s long-term technical and administrative roles.
The All On Akeddei Community Project in Bayelsa is set to deliver even greater scale with an estimated 1,058 connections, that focuses on productive-use customers such as small businesses, artisans, and service providers.
Interestingly, Henry Ureh, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO ) said that the transformation hope to replicate the second phase of the initiative. Ureh said that the community has followed the project closely, not only because of what it promised but because many residents were already directly involved.
According to him, Akeddei Community, Bayelsa State, the atmosphere has shifted noticeably over the past several months. Since All On awarded a grant to Darway Coast Ltd for the development of a 195kWp solar hybrid minigrid, steady progress on the project has become a source of growing optimism among residents.
“The equipment installations, the training of local workers, and the visible advancement of the project site have all signalled that reliable electricity, something the community has long hoped for, is finally within reach.
The CEO said that for many in Akeddei, their expectations were shaped by what unfolded not too far away in Oweikorogha.
Ureh said that when All On completed the first phase of its Niger Delta Electrification Project there, the 80kWp hybrid minigrid surpassed its target of 430 connections by lighting up 451 homes and businesses.
“The arrival of steady power changed daily life almost immediately: businesses extended operating hours, households reduced generator costs, and community services such as schools and local clinics became more reliable.
According to him, local youth have been employed in construction and site preparation, and Darway Coast Ltd has begun training community-based operators who will take on long-term technical and administrative roles once the minigrid is operational.
“But the hope goes far deeper than jobs. Residents are looking ahead to what reliable electricity will mean for their businesses, their children’s education, and their overall quality of life.
“Fishermen are thinking about cold storage; shop owners are planning to power freezers and lighting; students are imagining evening study hours without noise and fumes from generators.
“Health workers are eager for stable power to store vaccines and run essential equipmen,” he said.
The CEO said that the project would also strengthen livelihoods in underserved communities across the Niger Delta saying that for Darway Coast Ltd, the work resonates deeply.
“As a company, we are committed to delivering affordable, reliable electricity that drives economic growth while safeguarding the interests of our customers and partners.
“We are confident that the beneficiaries in Akeddei will experience meaningful and measurable improvements in their quality of life, unlocking broader economic opportunities for the community.
“As Akeddei approaches the final stages of installation with commissioning expected in Q2 2026, the community’s anticipation is grounded in real, visible progressThey have seen firsthand what happened in Oweikorogha. They have watched neighbours in the region step into new opportunities because of reliable, affordable power. And now, they are preparing for a similar change,”he said.
Ureh added that the story of the Akeddei minigrid was not one of wishful thinking adding that it was a story of tangible advancement, shared effort, and the belief, supported by proven results, that life could indeed change when clean, reliable energy arrives.
According to him All On Partnerships for Energy Access (All On), an independent impact investing company, was seeded by Shell to accelerate the closing of the energy access gap in Nigeria.
He said that it arrived provide debt and equity funding, as well as non-financial support, to Nigerian energy companies that align with its mission.
Empowering the “Engine Room” of the Delta
Beyond lighting homes, All On’s investments are fueling the small businesses that drive the local economy.
The Fish Seller’s Shield: In coastal fishing communities, spoilage was once a daily threat. Through partnerships with ColdHubs, solar-powered cold storage has been deployed to preserve perishable foods, directly enhancing food security and income for vendors who no longer have to sell their catch at a loss before it rots.
Small Business Growth: In the Egbèke community, the glow of solar-powered lights has allowed businesses to extend their operating hours from 12 to 16 hours a day. This shift has led to reported revenue increases of 20–35% within just six months as operational costs from expensive diesel generators plummeted.
The “Niger Delta energy paradox”—where the source of the nation’s wealth lives with the worst energy access metrics—is finally being addressed. Through the Access to Energy (A2E) model and partnerships with organizations like PIND Foundation, over 2,700 businesses and households in the region gained electricity for the first time in a single recent year.
By prioritising “human-centric” investments, All On is ensuring that the next decade of Nigeria’s energy future belongs to the people who have waited the longest to see it.
Looking Forward: The Path to 2030
Despite these gains, the challenge remains vast. Nigeria’s current grid performance often dwindles to around 3,500 MW for a population of over 229 million. All On CEO Caroline Eboumbou has noted that while the progress is encouraging, the mission continues with a focus on deepening impact in underserved regions like the Niger Delta.
As Nigeria aims for universal energy access by 2030, the blueprint established by All On over the last decade—combining patient capital with ecosystem building—remains a cornerstone of the nation’s sustainable energy future.
