Nigeria, a nation rich in resources, has long struggled with energy challenges, from unreliable power supply to the absence of a comprehensive metering system. Amid these obstacles, two companies, Shyft Power Solutions and SteamaCo, have come together with a shared vision to drive digital transformation and provide reliable, affordable, and cleaner energy solutions for Nigerians.

Shyft Power Solutions, established a decade ago, was born out of a recognition that power companies in Nigeria lacked the tools needed to efficiently monitor and manage energy systems. The company’s focus has been on providing IoT-based solutions for energy monitoring, particularly in the realms of backup power, micro-grids, and solar battery systems.

“We realised that power companies had assets like generators and solar batteries spread across different locations but lacked the ability to monitor these facilities remotely,” said Ugwem Eneyo, CEO of Shyft Power Solutions. “This lack of visibility meant they couldn’t scale their operations efficiently.”
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Shyft’s solution has been able to develop sensors, gateways, and software that offer remote monitoring, preventive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making. This technology allows power providers to manage their infrastructure more effectively, reducing interruptions and increasing efficiency.

One of the persistent challenges facing the Nigerian energy sector is the “metering gap,” where many consumers lack proper metering, leading to inconsistent billing. Shyft’s recent expansion into the metering space, in partnership with SteamaCo, aims to address this gap by offering affordable, scalable metering solutions, especially for off-grid communities.

“Our merger with SteamaCo allows us to combine our local expertise with their metering solutions, particularly for rural areas where off-grid solutions are essential,” Eneyo stated. “Together, we are introducing a more transparent, data-driven way for consumers to monitor and pay for their electricity.”

Eneyo’s motivation for establishing Shyft Power Solutions goes beyond business. Growing up in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, where infrastructure and energy access were limited, she saw firsthand how resource wealth often failed to benefit local communities. This experience drove her to build a company that would not only provide innovative solutions but also serve the needs of the people.

“I wanted to start a company that allowed the people closest to the problems to be at the forefront of solving them,” Eneyo said. “If not me, then who?”
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SteamaCo, led by Managing Director, Tom Parkinson, has long focused on off-grid solutions, primarily in rural areas. The company’s expertise in providing energy access through metering technology is now complementing Shyft’s capabilities in urban and semi-urban areas. The merger between the two companies aims to bring a more unified, data-driven approach to energy management.

“We are both solving similar problems but for different markets,” Parkinson said. “This merger combines our strengths and allows us to offer a more complete solution, giving power providers the tools they need to better understand and manage energy consumption.”

Together, Shyft and SteamaCo aim to improve visibility into energy usage, a critical factor in transforming the power sector. “You can’t manage what you don’t measure,” Parkinson asserted. “By digitizing energy management, we can bring transparency, reduce losses, and ensure reliability.”

The vision of the newly merged companies extends beyond Nigeria. According to Eneyo, the aim is to create a model that can be replicated across Africa. With systems already operating in 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the merger’s success in Nigeria will set the stage for expansion across the continent.

“Energy, along with transport, is what drives economies forward. If we can enable reliable, affordable, and productive power, we can unlock job creation and economic security,” Eneyo stated. “Nigeria is the light of Africa, and if we can make it work here, it will set the blueprint for the rest of Africa.”

For Shyft Power Solutions, success is measured through a combination of metrics that reflect both the scale of impact and operational efficiency. Key indicators include the number of meters deployed, the lives impacted, and the amount of energy processed through their systems.
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“We want to empower consumers to see their energy consumption in real time, which allows them to make more informed decisions,” Eneyo explains. “This will not only improve their energy efficiency but also build trust between consumers and power providers.”

In the traditional metering system, consumers are often left in the dark, unable to monitor their energy usage. Shyft’s technology changes this by enabling users to track their consumption via mobile apps or web platforms. The system also provides alerts for low balances, consumption patterns, and even allows for auto-top-ups, offering a more transparent and user-friendly experience.

Both Shyft and SteamaCo emphasised the importance of government policy in creating an environment conducive to investment and growth. According to Parkinson, a stable and transparent regulatory framework is essential for attracting foreign investment into the energy sector, which, in turn, will drive innovation and create the infrastructure needed to support economic development.

“The Nigerian government needs to create a clear, stable policy environment that encourages investment,” Parkinson further said. “Foreign direct investment is crucial for the energy sector, and companies like ours provide the necessary revenue assurance to make these projects bankable.”
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