In a major step toward improving energy access in northern Nigeria, the governments of Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States have announced a new partnership to establish a joint electricity market. The initiative follows their joint acquisition of equity stakes in the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), alongside its core investor, Future Energies Africa.

The development was made known in a statement by Saad Umar Faruk, spokesperson for the Kano Ministry of Power and Energy, on Monday. According to Gaddafi Shehu, Kano State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, the agreement was finalized during a High-Level Electrification Summit in Marrakech, Morocco, held from October 16 to 19, 2025.

Shehu explained that the three states will collaborate to promote a mutually beneficial electricity market, improve regulation, and enhance power distribution efficiency. He described the equity acquisition in KEDCO as a strategic step to boost power supply and ensure better service delivery across the region.

As part of the plan, the states will establish a ₦50 billion electrification fund aimed at expanding access through embedded generation, solar home systems, grid extensions, and mini-grids. The states also plan to work with KEDCO to minimize losses from residential consumers and increase reliability in electricity delivery.

Shehu described the agreement as a landmark move that will not only strengthen energy security but also promote economic growth and improve living standards in northern Nigeria. Representatives from the three states will meet quarterly to review progress and hold an annual international retreat to refine strategies for the regional power market.

This initiative comes as more Nigerian states embrace electricity sector reform under the Electricity Act 2023, signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Act allows states to regulate their own power markets, with several already receiving regulatory autonomy from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).