Nigeria's Smart Meter Installation Reaches 217,784 Under $500M Project

As of March 31, 2026, the Nigerian government has installed 217,784 smart meters under a $500 million power project supported by the World Bank, which aims to deploy a total of 3.2 million meters. This initiative is part of efforts to eliminate estimated billing and improve electricity distribution across Nigeria.

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) reported that the cumulative installation represents only 6.8% of the target, leaving 2.98 million meters yet to be installed. The deployment commenced in May 2025, with 129,224 meters installed in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 29.81% increase from the previous quarter.

The Benin Electricity Distribution Company recorded the highest installations at 26,083 meters. Former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu expressed satisfaction with the progress but noted the need for faster installation to ensure every household and business is fully metered, aiming for transparency and efficiency in revenue collection.