Let’s be honest, you’ve probably seen it before. A developer rolls into a village, sets up solar panels, declares “light don come!”, and by the next week, there’s one kind of serious quarrel. Why? Because nobody carried the community along.
That’s what we call community engagement, and trust me, it’s not just another fancy term. It’s the secret sauce that keeps your mini-grid project from turning into village drama.
What Is Community Engagement, Really?
Community engagement simply means working together with the people who will use your mini-grid, not just talking at them, but listening, planning, and acting with them.
It’s about saying:
“Make we do this thing together, so everybody go enjoy am well-well.”
When people feel part of the project, they’re more likely to support it, protect it, and pay for it. I recall that a mini-grid project in a community in the North-Central region of Nigeria almost ended in a disaster because senators representing the constituency suddenly started agitating that the community was supposed to be connected to the national grid instead of the government and the serving DisCo, focusing on installing mini-grids for the people at “higher tariffs.” The oil companies in the restive Niger Delta are excellent at community engagement, contrary to what most of us read in the media. My childhood friend works with the community relations department of an oil servicing company in the Niger Delta, and I know how he’s always very busy reaching out to one community after the other.
Why Community Engagement Matters
You can’t just build and disappear. You have to talk to people and understand their real needs. Here’s why:
- Better Decisions: The community knows things you’ll never find in your spreadsheets: who really needs power, which area floods, and who likes free light too much.
- Better Service: When you design your mini-grid around actual needs, people will value it more. Mama Chioma can run her cold drink business, and Zainab can use her hairdryer without stress.
- Trust and Support: People don’t trust strangers. But once they see you care, even the village chief will help you guard your cables from awon wire thieves.
Levels of Community Engagement
There are different levels of involvement:
- Informing: Just telling people what’s happening.
- Consulting: Asking for their opinions.
- Engaging: Working together to make decisions.
- Partnering: Full collaboration where everybody owns part of the process.
Think of it like relationships. You start with “hello,” then dating, then marriage. If you stop at “hello,” don’t expect them to trust you with their light bill.
Who Are the Stakeholders?
A mini-grid project is like a football match with many players, one goal.
- Investors: They put in the money and want good returns.
- Developers: They plan, install, and manage the system.
- Customers: The people who actually use the light for cooking, sewing, and phone charging.
- Community Representatives: The middlemen who pass information both ways.
- Regulators: The referees who make sure everything follows the rules.
Everybody has skin in the game, so communication must be open.
How Do You Do a Proper Community Engagement?
Don’t just appear with solar panels one morning. Follow these steps:
- Identify the Community: Know who’s who: farmers, artisans, traders, youth groups, and women associations.
- Assess the Needs: Find out what they actually want power for. Maybe it’s for small businesses, maybe it’s just to stop buying kerosene.
- Plan the Engagement: Be clear about the benefits, costs, and how the system will work.
- Build and Operate: Don’t vanish after installation. Keep showing up, checking in, and supporting the people.
- Monitor and Adjust: Gather feedback, learn from it, and improve. No be only transformer dey need maintenance, relationships too!
The Business Side of Things
If you’re a developer, shine your eye. You need to:
- Know Your Customers (KYC): Understand their income levels, usage patterns, and willingness to pay.
- Align Your Service: Don’t sell power like you’re selling luxury. Fit your offer to people’s needs.
- Create Value: Build good relationships, and people will stay loyal.
- Promote Ownership: Let them feel it’s their light. When they do, nobody will dare cut the wires.
Don’t Forget Legal Matters
Before you even shout “Up NEPA!”, make sure you’ve:
- Gotten the right licences and permits.
- Met with traditional leaders and local councils.
- Followed all safety and regulatory guidelines.
Respect local protocols — e no go kill you.
Smart Ways to Engage the Community
Community engagement doesn’t always mean long, boring meetings. Try different approaches:
- Public Meetings: For announcements and updates.
- Workshops & Focus Groups: Smaller groups, deeper conversations.
- Village Power Committees: Local teams to act as a bridge between the developer and community.
- Street Demonstrations: Show people what electricity can do, like how a fridge fit preserve fish or blender fit change business life.
- Surveys: Ask for feedback in person, on paper, or even by SMS.
Mix it up depending on what works best for that community.
Customer Feedback Is Gold
When customers complain, don’t vex. That’s valuable information.
Collect feedback through different channels. Call centres, one-on-one talks, or surveys.
Then:
- Gather the data,
- Learn from it, and
- Apply the lessons.
That’s how you build trust and improve service.
Diagnosing Wahala Before It Blows Up
Sometimes meetings go left. People argue, shout, or walk out. Relax, e never spoil.
Maybe they just don’t understand the project yet, or they’re scared of being cheated. Take time to listen, explain again, and rebuild confidence. That’s how you turn tension into teamwork.
Service-Level Agreements (SLA) – The “Promise Paper”
An SLA is simply the agreement that says, “Here’s what we’ll deliver, and here’s the standard you can expect.”
It sets clear expectations on how many hours of power daily, the quality of supply, and what happens if things fail. It also helps customers trust you more because they know you mean business.
Final Words
Community engagement is not a one-off event. It’s an ongoing relationship. You keep talking, adjusting, and improving together.
If you get it right, the light will shine, businesses will grow, and peace will reign. But if you try to act like a secret agent, e go be like that movie where generator noise still pass solar panel.
