Nigeria’s Kaduna Electricity Company Under New Ownership Amid Debt Crisis
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved the acquisition of a 60% equity stake in Kaduna Electricity Company Pic (Kaduna Electric) by ASI Engineering Limited. The acquisition comes amid Kaduna Electric’s N115 billion debt crisis.
In a statement, Kaduna Electric announced the successful acquisition and revealed that it will collaborate with state governments and stakeholders to create sustainable solutions for energy access, reliability, and efficiency in the region.
According to the statement, these collaborations will attract necessary investments to upgrade and transform electricity distribution in the Kaduna Electric franchise area. The acquisition is expected to mark a new dawn in the turnaround and repositioning of Kaduna Electric.
It is worth noting that NERC data released six months ago revealed that Kaduna Electric owed N110 billion ($130 million) to various entities, including the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader and power generation firms. This significant debt had raised concerns about the company’s financial stability.
The equity transaction is expected to bring much-needed stability and improvement to the company’s financial situation. As ASI Engineering Limited takes the reins, stakeholders are eagerly anticipating the positive impact it will have on energy access and reliability in Northern Nigeria.
This development is significant, as it signals a major shift in the way Kaduna Electric operates. The company’s new ownership will play a crucial role in shaping its future, and it will be interesting to monitor its progress in the coming months.