Lagos is the city with the highest population in Nigeria and one of the most densely populated cities in Africa. Bordered on the south by the Atlantic Ocean, this lagoon city was home to indigenous fishing and farming communities dating back to pre-colonial times. As a former capital of Nigeria, Lagos was from where the Federal Government administered the whole country. Up until 1991, Lagos played the dual role of state and federal capital, when the federal capital was officially relocated to Abuja. Even after the relocation, Lagos remains the economic, financial and commercial centre of Nigeria, accounting for over a quarter of the national GDP and home to about 90% of the country’s corporate headquarters. As the largest consumer market in sub-Saharan Africa, it plays host to 29 industrial estates, four central business districts, the Nigerian Stock Exchange and one of the continent’s busiest ports. It is also the hub of over 3.2 million small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), mostly in the informal sector. If Lagos were a country, it would be the fifth largest economy in Africa.
Lagos’ Urban Power Profile provides an overview of the city’s power system context and challenges, key shocks and stresses impacting energy resilience projects and case studies on energy resilience projects including a state-led hackathon to create a smart metering system and expand energy access, as well as solar installation trainings that work to empower vulnerable communities.
With support from the Rockefeller Foundation via the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet and S&P Global Foundation, Urban Power is building assessment and project development tools and working with cities to develop energy projects that help them achieve a green and just energy transition, reach their net-zero ambitions, and deliver multiple resilience co-benefits.