Every morning, before he could cut a single strand of hair, a Lagos barber fired up his diesel generator and braced for the bill—often bigger than his rent—that came with it. He had no other choice. Nigeria’s weak national grid, which delivers less than 4,000 megawatts to a population of more than 200 million, had never reliably reached him.

This figure is only a fraction of the energy capacity of comparable countries, driven in part by repeated grid collapses that have left Nigerian residents accustomed to power outages up to 40% of the time. As global oil prices surge due to unpredictable international crises, his generator becomes unsustainable, forcing him to either cut working hours or raise prices for consumers. This barber, however, found a third option. 

Solar mini-grids have grown in recent years as an alternative source of energy access in Nigeria, free from the volatility of global markets. WiSolar, a leader in the industry, spoke with The Borgen Project about its approach to supporting small business owners across the nation. “WiSolar’s prepaid and pay-as-you-go energy model is designed to give customers predictable monthly costs, even as global fuel markets fluctuate,” said representative Andia van Wyk.

Within months of adopting the company’s solar service, the barber increased his operating hours and revenue while offering customers new amenities. Hoping to raise awareness about the industry, WiSolar also shared insight into the structural failures of the national grid, the effects of major foreign conflicts, and how it is working to address them.

A Grid Built To Fail

One of the world’s fastest-growing countries, Nigeria is increasingly unable to guarantee electricity through its national grid. Though it delivers only 4,000 megawatts, the grid has more than three times that amount installed on paper. It fails to fulfill its promises due to aging infrastructure, inadequate power plant maintenance and frequent pipeline vandalism. 

As a result, both urban and rural homes experience prolonged power outages. “Nigeria’s national grid was designed for a different era. Built decades ago to serve urban centers and large industries, it was never intended to reach low-density rural populations,” van Wyk noted. On top of poor design, disparities between Nigerian states pose new risks to residents seeking stability. 

States such as Lagos, Edo and Enugu have begun experimenting with state-level grids. This decision could significantly improve or worsen access to energy in Nigeria. According to a 2025 study, two developments are necessary to structurally improve the average resident’s access to electricity: innovative business models that cheaply supplement the grid for those already connected and campaigns to further educate consumers. 

The authors argue that the country must abandon its current priority of maximizing the number of residents connected to the grid. Instead, it should redirect existing philanthropic capital toward off-grid providers. These providers can serve as a more reliable, fiscally and pragmatically, source.

Being itself a popular off-grid alternative, WiSolar advocates for Nigeria’s adoption of policies similar to those of comparable countries such as Kenya and India. In these places, van Wyk says, “rural electrification succeeds because decentralized solutions—mini-grids, solar home systems and targeted subsidies— complement grid expansion.” Also aiding the electricity sector in impoverished regions are government agencies that set national energy standards, which determine tariffs and regulatory frameworks. 

These institutions have been largely supportive of companies like WiSolar’s work in recent years, facilitating their efforts to address rural poverty in Nigeria.

When the World Intervenes

Nigeria’s grid crisis is not unfolding in isolation. The U.S.-Israeli military campaign in Iran has disrupted global oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz. The campaign has pushed crude prices above $100 per barrel, sending fuel, transport and food costs surging across Africa.

While Nigeria, a major oil producer, might benefit from higher oil prices in the short term, higher production costs are likely to offset any gains. The result is a renewed cycle of volatile energy access for tens of millions of rural residents in Nigeria, driven by a crisis thousands of miles away.

Despite this turmoil, WiSolar sees room for the country to make permanent progress in moving away from the national grid, which perpetuates rural poverty in Nigeria. “Such crises, while disruptive,” van Wyk states, “highlight the urgent need for decentralized, renewable energy systems.” The visible danger of relying on diesel-powered generators is likely to prompt new customers to install low-cost solar power at home and in business. 

During foreign conflicts, the role of such companies would shift from solar energy providers to energy security providers. As rural Nigerians, alongside countless other impoverished people, remain susceptible to a constantly evolving geopolitical landscape, solar energy offers stability. It is that stability, in van Wyk’s eyes, that is becoming a lifeline amid Nigeria’s energy crises.

The Solar Solution

WiSolar is far from the only member of the solar industry in the region. It has, however, gained a reputation for its unique philosophy and innovative services. Guided by the belief that funding the grid system only worsens poverty, WiSolar recently secured a $9 million deal from Chinese financial institutions to support upcoming initiatives. 

With this capital, the company plans to expand access to solar energy in Nigeria, reaching more than 2,600 households and businesses across 10 states. In doing so, its groundbreaking work serves as a model for other countries seeking similar solutions. At the forefront of WiSolar’s business structure is the zero-upfront model. 

The main factor discouraging residents from adopting solar power is the lump-sum cost required to get started; however, “WiSolar removes this barrier by converting what would be a large one-time expense into affordable, predictable monthly payments,” says van Wyk. 

Toward a Sun-Powered Future

The scale of solar progress should not obscure what remains to be done. Looking ahead, WiSolar’s goals reflect a sector growing in both ambition and reach. These goals include expanding into peri-urban communities, scaling its pay-as-you-go platform and strengthening its digital energy infrastructure. 

The business seeks further long-term investment, continued product innovation and progress toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7: ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030. As the issue of energy access in Nigeria deepens, solar mini-grids offer not just a short-term solution, but a realistic path toward stability, opportunity and long-term growth.

– Jayhan Adhi

Jayhan is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr