Three northern Nigerian states—Kano, Katsina and Jigawa—have formed a partnership to create a tri‑state electricity market, enhancing cooperation and regulation in the region’s energy sector. The agreement, announced by Kano State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy Gaddafi Shehu after the High‑Level Electrification Summit in Marrakech, Morocco (16‑19 October 2025), aims to explore areas of mutual benefit in the states’ electricity markets and to promote coordinated regulation.
As part of the partnership, the three states have acquired equity stakes in the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), with Future Energies Africa serving as the core investor. This strategic acquisition is intended to improve electricity distribution across the region. The states will work with KEDCO to reduce losses from residential consumers, thereby ensuring a more reliable supply for citizens.
A ₦50 billion electrification fund will be established to accelerate access to electricity through embedded generation, solar home systems, grid extension and mini‑grids. The initiative is expected to spur economic growth and enhance the quality of life for residents of the three states.
The development reflects a broader trend in Nigeria, where the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has transferred electricity regulatory oversight to several states. By July 2025, ten states had received this transfer, with Bayelsa and Nasarawa added most recently. The shift follows the signing of the Electricity Act 2023 into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June 2023.
Representatives of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa will convene an annual international retreat and meet quarterly to review progress, set direction and strengthen ties for the northwestern tri‑state electricity market. This collaboration marks a significant step toward improving electricity access and supply in the region and is expected to have a positive impact on economic development and the lives of its citizens.
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