The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved N30bn for electricity distribution companies to accelerate the installation of free prepaid meters for unmetered Band A and Band B customers.
The approval, under the third tranche of the Meter Acquisition Fund, is aimed at closing Nigeria’s metering gap and ensuring more electricity consumers have access to accurate billing.
Under the arrangement, the 11 electricity distribution companies will receive portions of the fund based on their respective contributions to the Meter Acquisition Fund.
NERC said the initiative would prioritise all remaining unmetered Band A customers while accelerating meter deployment to Band B consumers.
The commission also directed that the distribution of meters must be equitable across states within the franchise areas of each electricity distribution company.
It stressed that all meters procured and installed under the programme must be supplied to customers free of charge.
The latest approval forms part of the Federal Government’s Presidential Metering Initiative, which seeks to improve electricity metering, address estimated billing and strengthen transparency in the power sector.
NERC said the order provides a framework for implementing the third phase of the programme and accelerating efforts to bridge the country’s metering deficit.
