Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa Launch Nigeria’s First Regional Power Market
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
In a landmark move set to transform northern Nigeria’s energy landscape, Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States have jointly launched the country’s first regional power market, with an ambitious ₦50 billion investment to expand electricity generation and distribution across the three states.
A Bold Step Toward Energy Independence
The initiative marks a historic collaboration aimed at overcoming the long-standing electricity deficit in the region. According to Akahi News, the three states currently require around 700 megawatts of power to meet demand but receive barely 130 megawatts from the national grid.
This chronic shortfall has hampered growth in homes, schools, hospitals, and industries across the North-West. However, the Electricity Act of 2023, which empowers states to generate, transmit, and distribute power independently, has now opened the door for this groundbreaking regional solution.
The Marrakech Agreement: Powering the North Together
During a recent strategic meeting held in Marrakech, Morocco, the governors of Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States sealed the regional energy pact. The agreement was formalised through a partnership with Future Energies Africa (FEA) and the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), giving the states direct control over power generation, investment decisions, and electricity sharing mechanisms.
Akahi News gathered that this collaboration aims to harness solar, mini-grid, and other renewable energy systems to bring stable electricity to even the most remote communities.
What the Plan Includes
Under the new framework, the project will focus on:
- Solar home systems and rooftop installations for urban and semi-urban households.
- Mini-grids designed for rural and off-grid communities.
- Power line extensions to connect underserved areas.
- Regional electricity regulations to enable seamless power trade among the three states.
The joint energy market will operate under a shared regulatory model to ensure transparency, fairness, and sustainability. Each state will retain autonomy over local projects while contributing to a larger pool that guarantees stability across borders.
Why It Matters
Experts say the creation of this regional market could become a model for other parts of Nigeria struggling with unreliable electricity supply. By leveraging renewable energy sources and decentralising power generation, the states hope to reduce dependency on the overstretched national grid.
A policy analyst told Akahi News that this initiative “signals a new era of subnational innovation in Nigeria’s power sector,” especially as more states explore the freedom granted by the 2023 Electricity Act.
The Road Ahead
While challenges such as funding sustainability, technical expertise, and coordination remain, the commitment from the three governors represents a strong political will to end decades of darkness in the region.
If successful, the Kano-Katsina-Jigawa Power Market could set a precedent for regional economic cooperation, enhance industrial productivity, and ultimately improve the quality of life for millions of residents.
Akahi News will continue to monitor developments as the ambitious power project unfolds, with hopes that it lights up not just homes, but also the future of northern Nigeria.
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