The governments of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states have agreed to collaborate on the establishment of a tri-state electricity market, and to acquire equity stakes in Future Energies Africa, the core investor in Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).
   
The agreement was reached during a High-Level Electrification Summit/Meeting held in Marrakech, Morocco from October 16 to 19th.
 
In the highlights, the three states agreed to take the equity stakes to boost KEDCO’s strategic direction. 
 
They also resolved to partner with Future Energies Africa (FEA) on a first-of-its-kind electrification fund with target capitalisation of N50 billion in the first instance to rapidly accelerate access and supply across the three states through embedded generation using renewables, solar home systems, grid extension and mini-grids.
  
A statement read: “Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states to collaborate and explore means under the Electricity Act to partner amongst themselves on areas of their tri-state market where partner regulation is mutually beneficial.

Kano, Katsina and Jigawa to collaborate with KEDCO to reduce losses from residential consumers to allow supply to improve to citizens in the states.”

To sustain the partnership and ensure steady progress, FEA and state representatives are to convene a yearly international retreat and meet quarterly (and as required) to review progress, set direction, and strengthen ties for North-western tri-state electricity market.
   
The meeting was attended by Governors Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State; Dikko Radda (Katsina), and Umar Namadi (Jigawa) alongside key officials from their administrations and representatives of FEA.
 
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) was represented by Commissioner Dafe Akpeneye.
   
Also in attendance were the Speakers of Katsina and Jigawa states, Nasir Yahaya Saif and Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin; the commissioners responsible for Power in Kano and Jigawa, Dr Gaddafi Sani Shehu and Dr Surajo Alhaji Musa, among others.
 
The host company, FEA, was led by its Chairman, Najib J.A. Koguna; alongside Ahmad Rufai Zakari; Habib Daura Ahmed, and Yusuf Usman Yahaya. 
  
Also present were the Chairman of KEDCO, Adamu Ibrahim Gumel, and the Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Jimeta.