Active Electricity Customers Rise To 11.96m In August, Says Regulator

The Nigerian electricity sector has recorded marginal growth in the number of active electricity customers to 11.96 million in August 2025, according to data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

NERC’s Metering Factsheet for July and August 2025, released on Monday, also showed that electricity distribution companies (DisCos) installed 70,888 new meters in August.

According to the report, a total of 70,888 customers were newly metered in August, compared to 76,783 in July, reflecting ongoing metering efforts across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

The NERC Factsheet also disclosed that the total number of active customers across all DisCos increased from 11.89 million in July to 11.96 million in August 2025.

Out of these numbers, it revealed that 6.58 million customers were metered, resulting in a metering rate of 55.01 per cent, up slightly from 54.71 per cent in July.

The top performing DisCos, according to the Factsheet, include Eko: 84.25 per cent, Ikeja: 84.83 per cent, and Abuja: 73.92 per cent, respectively.

These figures highlight gradual progress inclosing Nigeria’s metering gap and improving transparency and billing accuracy for electricity consumers.

Recall that NERC recently approved the sum of N28 billion for the DisCos, to procure and install meters for unmetered Band ‘A’ and ‘B’ customers within their franchise areas.

The Commission explained that the funds shall be allocated in proportion to the respective contributions of the DisCos, and are intended to meter all outstanding unmetered Band A customers while also expediting the closure of the metering gap for customers currently classified under Tariff Band B.

It revealed that it was due to the inability of the DisCos to secure financing, whether through debt or additional equity, for the acquisition and deployment of end-use meters and other critical capital investments that it created the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF).

NERC recalled that it introduced the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) Regulations 2018 and subsequently, the Meter Asset Provider and National Mass Metering Regulations (MAP&NMMR) in 2021 to address metering challenges in the NESI.

According to the Commission, these Regulations introduced multiple options for metering end-use customers. However, despite these significant interventions, the national metering gap persists and currently exceeds seven million.

The Commission through this new order mandates the DisCos to utilise the N28 billion of the MAF scheme for Tranche B apportioned in accordance with their respective contributions as at the July 2025 market settlement.

It stated that all meters to be procured and installed under the MAF framework shall be provided at no cost to the customers.

NERC directed that the installation of meters shall be completed by 31 December 2025.