The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved ₦30 billion for the third phase of its Meter Acquisition Fund (MAF), targeting the provision of free electricity meters to unmetered Band A customers and faster metering of Band B consumers across Nigeria.
The approval brings the total funding approved under the programme to ₦79 billion, following earlier allocations of ₦21 billion and ₦28 billion, as the regulator intensifies efforts to address the country’s persistent electricity metering gap.
The commission disclosed the latest approval in Order No. NERC/2026/121 on the Operationalisation of Tranche C of the Meter Acquisition Fund, which took effect on November 2, 2026.
According to NERC’s announcement published on November 10, 2026, the ₦30 billion will be allocated among the country’s 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in proportion to their respective contributions to the fund.
The funding is intended to ensure that all remaining unmetered Band A customers receive meters while accelerating installations for Band B customers. NERC also directed that distribution should be equitable across states within the respective DisCos’ franchise areas.
Under the new arrangement, distribution companies must conduct transparent procurement processes involving eligible Local Meter Manufacturers and Assemblers (LMMAs) and Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) with verified meter stocks.
The regulator has also prescribed maximum procurement prices based on the median national MAP online bid prices recorded during the September 2026 bidding cycle.
NERC stipulated a two-stage payment arrangement for selected meter providers, with 70% of the payment released after verification of delivered meter stocks and the remaining 30% paid after confirmation that installation has been completed.
The commission emphasised that all meters procured and installed under the programme must be provided to electricity customers free of charge.
It further directed that every meter must prominently display the name of the relevant distribution company, the applicable MAF tranche and the inscription, “NOT FOR SALE”, to prevent unauthorised sales and protect consumers.
The order also places responsibility on DisCos to bear the cost of relocating an existing customer’s connection point when the distribution company initiates such relocation for revenue protection purposes.
NERC warned that sanctions would apply where defaults by distribution companies obstruct or delay meter installations. It also introduced monitoring, reporting and evaluation requirements for the Fund Manager, DisCos and participating meter providers.
All supply and installation contracts must be submitted to the commission, while distribution companies are required to complete every meter installation under Tranche C on or before May 31, 2027.
The latest intervention comes amid a significant metering shortfall in Nigeria’s electricity market.
NERC’s July and August 2026 metering factsheet, published on October 14, showed that the country had 12,749,789 active electricity customers as of August, with 8,045,565 already metered.
This left approximately 4.7 million customers without electricity meters, representing a national metering coverage rate of 63.10%.
The figures highlight the scale of the challenge facing the electricity distribution companies as the regulator seeks to reduce estimated billing, improve revenue collection and strengthen consumer protection across the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
