The Federal Government of Nigeria has made significant strides in expanding its electricity metering infrastructure, installing 707,765 meters across the country in the first half of 2026. This represents a 71% increase compared to the 412,792 meters installed during the same period in 2025. The data, released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), highlights the government's efforts to improve billing transparency and reduce the number of unmetered customers in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
The installations in 2026 were comprised of 357,495 meters in the first quarter and 350,270 in the second quarter. In contrast, 187,161 meters were installed in the first quarter of 2025, while 225,631 were installed in the second quarter. The increase in metering is part of a broader strategy to enhance the efficiency and reliability of the country's electricity supply. The NERC's quarterly data provides valuable insights into the progress being made in this area.
The second quarter of 2026 saw the installation of 350,270 meters, with the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) accounting for the largest share. A total of 205,486 meters, representing 58.67% of total installations during the quarter, were installed under DISREP. Additionally, 123,833 meters were installed under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) framework, while 13,028 were installed under the Metering Asset Finance (MAF) framework.
Other metering frameworks also contributed to the overall installations in the second quarter of 2026. The DisCo-financed framework accounted for 7,643 meters, while 280 meters were installed under the Vendor Financed framework. These numbers demonstrate the diverse range of initiatives being implemented to expand metering in Nigeria.
Despite the progress being made, a significant number of active registered electricity customers remain without meters. As of the end of June 2026, 7,743,839 out of the total 12,589,486 active registered customers in the NESI were metered, translating to a metering rate of 61.51%. This means that more than 4.8 million active registered electricity customers remained without meters.
The Federal Government and electricity distribution companies are working together to address this issue and improve metering coverage. The installation of electricity meters is a critical component of this effort, as it enables accurate billing and helps to reduce energy theft. The NERC's data suggests that the metering rate has improved significantly in recent years, but further work is needed to achieve full coverage.
The ongoing investment in electricity metering infrastructure is expected to have a positive impact on the Nigerian economy and the lives of citizens. With a more comprehensive and accurate metering system, electricity distribution companies can improve their revenue collection and invest in infrastructure upgrades, ultimately leading to a more reliable and efficient electricity supply.
Key points
- The Federal Government installed 707,765 electricity meters in Nigeria in the first half of 2026.
- The metering rate in Nigeria stands at 61.51% as of the end of June 2026.
- More than 4.8 million active registered electricity customers remain without meters.
