Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem converged in Lagos as All On Partnerships for Energy Access celebrated its 10th anniversary with a Dinner and Fireside Chat, bringing together leaders from government, development finance institutions, the private sector, development organisations, academia and the renewable energy industry to celebrate a decade of catalytic investment while charting the course for the future of energy access in Nigeria.
The event commemorated ten years of building businesses, strengthening markets and expanding access to clean, reliable and affordable energy through strategic partnerships. More importantly, it provided a platform for key stakeholders to explore how collaboration, innovation and long-term investment can accelerate universal energy access for millions more Nigerians.
Representing the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Hon. Biodun Ogunleye, congratulated All On on its decade-long journey, describing the organisation as a major contributor to Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem.
Delivering the Governor’s goodwill message, Ogunleye commended All On for demonstrating that underserved communities are not beyond the reach of sustainable investment. He reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to creating an enabling policy environment that encourages innovation, investment and private sector participation in the electricity market.
Welcoming guests, the Chief Executive Officer of All On, Caroline Eboumbou, reflected on the organisation’s transformation from an ambitious vision into one of Nigeria’s foremost impact investors and ecosystem builders. She acknowledged the contributions of the organisation’s founding visionary and former Board Chairman, Dr. Osagie Okunbor, members of the Board of Directors, investees, partners, government institutions and host communities whose collective efforts have shaped All On’s first decade.
Reflecting on the organisation’s journey, Eboumbou noted that while capital remains essential, expanding energy access requires much more than financing businesses.
“We realised very quickly that we needed to be more than just an investor. Building this market required us to combine catalytic capital with technical assistance, venture support, ecosystem development and strategic partnerships. That is how lasting impact is created,” she said.
She disclosed that All On’s interventions have contributed to improving energy access for nearly two million people, demonstrating the impact of combining patient capital with innovation, entrepreneurship and sustained collaboration across the renewable energy value chain.
A major highlight of the evening was a fireside conversation between Eboumbou and Damilola Ogunbiyi, Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All. Their discussion examined the evolution of Nigeria’s off-grid energy sector over the past decade and the partnerships required to achieve universal energy access across Africa.
Drawing from years of collaboration with All On, Ogunbiyi highlighted the organisation’s pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s renewable energy market, stressing the importance of institutions that build markets, strengthen businesses and mobilise investment rather than merely financing individual projects.
Both leaders agreed that although significant progress has been recorded, achieving universal energy access in the next decade will require stronger partnerships, continuous innovation and sustained investment to ensure millions more Africans gain access to reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity.
The discussion was followed by an Impact Showcase, during which Dalberg presented findings from its independent evaluation of All On’s first decade. The assessment highlighted the organisation’s contributions through catalytic investment, venture building, enabling finance and ecosystem development, while demonstrating measurable improvements in business growth, market expansion and economic opportunities for underserved communities.
ALSO READ:
- All On Marks Decade of Impact, Charts New Course for Nigeria’s Renewable Energy Future
- Shell, nine banks launch $3bn Contractor Support Fund
- Nigeria rechannels $730m World Bank Power Loan to Distribution Sector Overhaul
- Crude Price Fall: FCCPC to sanction profiteers over exploitation in Nigeria’s oil market
- Heirs Energies OML 17 JV, Redtech commission Monitoring Centre to accelerate Oilfield Operations
Attention then shifted from celebrating past achievements to examining the future of Nigeria’s renewable energy sector during a second fireside discussion moderated by Abiodun Oni, Chief Executive Officer of FundCo. Panellists Sandra Dozie, Chief Executive Officer of Salpha Energy, and Muhammad Wakil, Country Delivery Lead (Nigeria) for the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), discussed the opportunities and challenges shaping Nigeria’s energy transition.
The panel identified local manufacturing, innovative financing, supportive government policies, increased private sector investment and stronger strategic partnerships as critical drivers for accelerating renewable energy deployment across the country.
The evening also featured a Special Recognition segment honouring organisations and individuals whose vision, leadership and collaboration have significantly advanced Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem. Awards of Excellence were presented to The Rockefeller Foundation, Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN), Shell Nigeria, and Dr. Osagie Okunbor, Founding Chairman of the All On Board of Directors.
Closing the celebration, All On reaffirmed its commitment to building on the momentum of its first decade by mobilising catalytic capital, strengthening renewable energy businesses, fostering innovation and deepening strategic partnerships to accelerate access to clean, reliable and affordable energy for millions more Nigerians.
The organisation noted that while the first decade demonstrated what is possible through collaboration and impact investing, the next decade will focus on scaling those achievements to deliver even greater energy access across Nigeria.
