World Bank Flags Delays in Nigeria's $500M Metering Reform

The World Bank has expressed concerns regarding delays in Nigeria's $500 million metering reform aimed at improving the electricity distribution sector. The delays are attributed to procurement bottlenecks and ongoing legal disputes affecting the installation of smart meters.

The Bank disclosed plans to consider an additional $308 million funding package to accelerate the program, which includes the procurement of 1.7 million electric meters and the rehabilitation of the network. As of October 2025, the installation of 1.44 million smart meters across nine electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) has been slow, with significant challenges remaining unresolved.

The World Bank reported that 685,000 meters have already arrived in Nigeria, with 365,000 installed. The Bank has recommended extending the project's close date to June 2030 to allow sufficient time for procurement and implementation.

Additionally, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has yet to disburse 15% of the funds, which is critical for accelerating investments in network rehabilitation.