- Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa State governments have partnered with Future Energies Africa (FEA) to establish a ₦50 billion Tri-State Electrification Fund.
- The initiative aims to accelerate power access across the three states through renewable energy, mini-grids, solar home systems, and grid expansion projects.
Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States will jointly establish a ₦50 billion Tri-State Electrification Fund in partnership with Future Energies Africa (FEA), the core investor in the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO). The fund, described as Nigeria’s first of its kind, aims to accelerate electrification across the three northwestern states through embedded generation projects, renewable energy deployment, solar home systems, mini-grids, and grid extensions.
KEDCO’s Head of Corporate Communications, Sani Bala Sani, said on Monday, October 20, that the agreement was reached during a High-Level Electrification Summit held in Marrakech, Morocco, from October 16 to 19. The summit brought together the executive governors of Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa, Mallam Abba Kabir Yusuf, Mallam Dikko Radda, and Mallam Umar Namadi, alongside senior officials and key power sector stakeholders.
Meanwhile, other attendees included the Speakers of the Katsina and Jigawa State Houses of Assembly, Hon. Nasir Yahaya Saif and Hon. Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin; Kano and Jigawa Commissioners for Power, Dr Gaddafi Sani Shehu and Dr Surajo Alhaji Musa; and Katsina Governor’s Special Adviser on Power, Dr Hafiz Ibrahim Ahmed. Jigawa State Attorney-General Bello Fanini Abubakar and NERC Commissioner Dafe C. Akpeneye also participated.
In addition, Future Energies Africa, led by Chairman Alhaji Najib J.A. Koguna, hosted the summit, supported by executives Ahmad Rufai Zakari, Alhaji Habib Daura Ahmed, and Engr. Yusuf Usman Yahaya. KEDCO Chairman Alh. Adamu Ibrahim Gumel and Managing Director Dr Abubakar Jimeta attended, while DLA Piper, the Boston Consulting Group, and BlackAion Capital provided technical advisory support.
The summit produced several key resolutions. Kano and Katsina will join Jigawa in acquiring equity stakes in FEA, strengthening their influence over KEDCO’s strategic direction.
The three states also pledged to collaborate on reducing distribution losses, improving supply reliability, and exploring opportunities under the Electricity Act for regional regulation and market integration. The partners will hold an annual international retreat and quarterly review meetings to monitor progress and set new goals for the North-Western Tri-State Electricity Market.