By Radarr Africa Business Desk
ABUJA, November 11 (Radarr Africa) – The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved N30 billion as the third tranche of the Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF), to be shared among the country’s 11 electricity distribution companies in proportion to their contributions to the fund.
The money, known as Tranche C, is meant to meter all remaining unmetered Band A customers and to speed up metering for Band B customers, with the meters spread equitably across the states in each distribution company’s franchise area. The rules are set out in Order No. NERC/2026/121, which supports the Presidential Metering Initiative.
Under the order, the distribution companies must run transparent procurement with eligible local meter manufacturers and assemblers and with Meter Asset Providers that have verified meter stock. NERC has set maximum prices for the meters based on the median of online bid prices from the September 2026 bid cycle.
Suppliers will be paid in two stages: 70% on verified delivery of meter stock and 30% on confirmed complete installation. All supply and installation contracts must be filed with NERC, and all Tranche C installations must be completed by May 31, 2027.
The meters must be provided free of charge to customers. Each meter must carry the distribution company’s name, the MAF tranche from which it was funded, and the words ‘NOT FOR SALE’. If a distribution company relocates a customer’s connection point for revenue protection, it must bear the cost of doing so.
The order includes sanctions for defaults by distribution companies that delay installation, as well as monitoring and reporting requirements.
The Meter Acquisition Fund is one of the main tools the regulator is using to close the metering gap, which allows distribution companies to bill customers on actual consumption rather than estimates. Tranche C follows two earlier tranches under the fund.
