In a strategic move to accelerate energy development in Northern Nigeria, the governments of Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States have announced a groundbreaking partnership on the Tri-State Electricity Market and a joint equity acquisition in Future Energies Africa (FEA), the core investor in the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).
The historic alliance was sealed during a high-level Electrification Summit in Marrakech, Morocco, held between October 16 and 19, 2025, with the aim of driving sustainable energy expansion and improving power access for millions across the three states.
Leaders Endorse Strategic Energy Collaboration
The summit brought together the three governors—Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina, and Umar Namadi of Jigawa—who reaffirmed their shared vision of establishing an integrated regional power market.
This partnership marks a new era in energy governance and cross-border state collaboration in Nigeria’s evolving electricity sector.
The meeting was attended by senior government officials and energy regulators, including the Speakers of Katsina and Jigawa States, Nasir Yahaya Saif and Haruna Dangyatin; Commissioners for Power in Kano and Jigawa, Dr. Gaddafi Sani Shehu and Dr. Surajo Alhaji Musa; the Attorney General of Jigawa, Bello Abubakar; and the Special Adviser to the Katsina Governor on Power, Dr. Hafiz Ibrahim Ahmed.
Also present was Commissioner Dafe Akpeneye from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), whose participation highlighted the regulatory importance of the Tri-State Electricity Market under Nigeria’s new Electricity Act.
Tri-State Electricity Market to Drive Regional Power Reform
The Tri-State Electricity Market is envisioned as a transformative initiative to decentralize power generation and distribution in the North-West region.
The plan involves the creation of a ₦50 billion Electrification Fund, aimed at expanding grid connections, promoting renewable energy, and reducing dependence on national transmission bottlenecks.
According to the Head of Corporate Communications at KEDCO, Sani Bala Sani, the collaboration will support investments in embedded power generation, solar home systems, and mini-grid expansion.
These measures are expected to improve supply reliability and enhance access to electricity in underserved communities.
The Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa governments will work closely with Future Energies Africa to build a cleaner and more efficient power infrastructure, leveraging renewable energy technologies.
The equity acquisition plan is designed to give the states a stronger say in the management and direction of KEDCO operations while fostering investor confidence in the region’s energy market.
Future Energies Africa Leads Investment Drive
The host company, Future Energies Africa, led by its Chairman, Alhaji Najib Koguna, presented the investment roadmap to the participating states.
The company’s leadership team—including Ahmad Zakari, Alhaji Daura Ahmed, and Engr. Yusuf Yahaya—expressed optimism about the long-term benefits of the partnership.
Koguna emphasized that the Tri-State Electricity Market will “transform regional energy access, promote industrial development, and empower local economies by ensuring a stable power supply.”
He noted that the joint ownership structure being explored by the states would ensure transparency, accountability, and shared economic growth.
“We are building not just an energy market, but a sustainable ecosystem that strengthens the economic fabric of Northern Nigeria,” he added.
Collaboration Under the Electricity Act
Under the new Electricity Act 2023, states are allowed to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity within their borders, paving the way for localized energy markets such as the Tri-State Electricity Market.
The summit participants resolved to explore the legal frameworks that enable regional cooperation under the Act, including partner regulation and mutual benefit mechanisms.
This aligns with the Federal Government’s decentralization policy, aimed at reducing inefficiencies in national grid operations.
By pooling resources and expertise, the three states seek to build a strong regional electricity hub capable of attracting private investors and supporting industrialization.
Commitment to Service Improvement and Accountability
The governors also pledged to work with KEDCO to minimize power losses caused by unmetered consumption and technical inefficiencies.
Efforts will be directed toward expanding metering programs, curbing energy theft, and enhancing customer service delivery.
Additionally, it was agreed that the states and Future Energies Africa would hold quarterly review meetings and an annual international energy retreat to assess progress and fine-tune strategies for continuous improvement.
Experts from DLA Piper, the Boston Consulting Group, and BlackAion Capital also attended the summit, providing technical and financial advisory input to ensure that the Tri-State Electricity Market operates on global best practices.
A New Dawn for Power in Northern Nigeria
Energy analysts have hailed the development as a model for other regions in Nigeria.
The partnership is expected to bridge the electricity access gap, promote clean energy adoption, and create thousands of jobs through renewable energy projects.
The Tri-State Electricity Market represents a shift from dependency on federal distribution frameworks toward a more decentralized and state-driven model that prioritizes efficiency, innovation, and accountability.
As the initiative progresses, stakeholders anticipate that the collaboration between Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa will become a benchmark for other states seeking to reform their local energy sectors under the Electricity Act.
With this move, Northern Nigeria stands on the brink of an electricity revolution—one that could redefine its economic potential, empower industries, and light up communities that have long lived in darkness.
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