Jigawa, Katsina, and Kano States have agreed to collaborate on a tri-state electricity market and acquire equity stakes in Future Energies Africa, the core investor in the Kano Electricity Distribution Company, KEDCO.
The Jigawa State Commissioner for Power, Engineer Surajo Musa, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Dutse.
He said the agreement was reached by the governors of the three states during a High-Level Electrification Summit held in Marrakech, Morocco.
Engineer Musa explained that under the arrangement, Kano and Katsina States will join Jigawa in taking equity stakes in Future Energies Africa to strengthen KEDCO’s strategic direction.
He added that the partnership will establish a first-of-its-kind Electrification Fund with an initial target capitalization of ₦50 billion, aimed at expanding power access and improving electricity supply across the three states.
“This he explained, will be done through embedded generation using renewables, solar home systems, grid extension and mini-grids,” he said.
The statement added that, the states will explore means under the Electricity Act, to partner on the tri-state market, where partner regulation is mutually beneficial.
He said that FEA and the three state governors would convene an annual international retreat and meet quarterly to review progress and strengthen ties for the North-western tri-state electricity market.
Usman Mohammed Zaria