The potential of implementing renewable energy in power distribution and agriculture on achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A baseline study of Northern Nigeria

Agriculture in Africa has a massive social and economic footprint. More than 80 percent of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is smallholder farmers, and about 23 percent of sub-Saharan Africa's GDP comes from agriculture. Yet, Africa's full agricultural potential remains untapped due to some limitations and inefficiencies. According to the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2019 published by the United Nations, in sub-Saharan Africa, 422 million people still live in extreme poverty; 237 million people live in hunger. In Nigeria, 82 million people are living below the international poverty line ($1.9 per day), and unemployment peaked at 23.1%. As a result, businesses such as utility companies are suffering with collection of bills. The distribution of poverty is greater in underdeveloped rural areas where infrastructure is limited. For example, electricity access is only 41%. In the case of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO), customer payments to the company are also low at 17%. This deficit has a significant impact on the cash balance of KAEDCO. In order to address this a study was performed to investigate ways to improve payments, electricity access and agricultural livelihoods. The research was conducted in Kano, a city in Northern Nigeria. The study considered the effects of implementing renewable energy with respect to power distribution companies in direct relation to SDG goals number: 1, 2, 7, 8, 11, and 13. As part of the research, a survey of 214 households was undertaken. Data was collected via questionnaires, focus group discussions and stakeholder interviews. With the data collected having a Cronbach’s Alpha score of 0.72, a bivariate analysis was conducted using Spearman’s rho correlation analysis to understand the impact of energy via renewable means on the average income of households, level of education, average savings, and carbon emissions. All this was examined from the power distribution point of view. Results showed very strong correlation between energy via renewable means with average income, level of education, average savings and carbon 232 emissions. The rho values were 0.617, 0.514, 0.534 and 0.612 respectively. With such rho values, the study indicated that RE will support agriculture and SDGs.