Enugu State Government and UKAID introduce AI-enabled smart Meter system to tackle energy theft, boost revenue assurance and attract private investment in electricity market.
The Enugu State Government, in partnership with the United Kingdom through the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility, has introduced an AI-enabled smart Meter system to curb energy theft and eliminate revenue losses in the electricity sub-sector.
The initiative was unveiled at the Enugu State Investor Forum themed “Driving Revenue Assurance and Private Investment through Data-Driven Metering,” held at the International Conference Centre on Tuesday.
The event brought together electricity distribution companies, investors and policymakers to explore opportunities for expanding smart metering and improving electricity access in the state.
UKNIAF, funded by the UK Agency for International Development and implemented by Tetra Tech, aims to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to deliver sustainable and climate-smart infrastructure, with Enugu as a key beneficiary.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Chijioke Okonkwo, said the project was designed to address persistent revenue leakages, energy theft and poor billing.
He disclosed that a pilot scheme involving 846 smart meters had already been deployed in the Ugwuaji axis of Enugu, covering surrounding semi-urban communities.
According to him, the pilot enabled full tracking of electricity consumption from transformers to individual households.
“This system allows us to drastically reduce, if not eliminate, commercial and collection losses, which have long hindered the growth of the power sector,” he said.
Okonkwo explained that the AI-enabled meters provide real-time data on energy usage, empower consumers to monitor consumption and help operators detect faults, theft and vandalism.
He added that the initiative also opens opportunities for private investors and energy retail companies to participate in Enugu’s electricity market, particularly in underserved areas.
“We are inviting investors to deploy smart meters, expand distribution networks and establish embedded power generation within the state,” he said.
He noted that current market prices for meters were about N130,000 for single-phase units and N230,000 for three-phase units, adding that flexible payment structures would ease adoption.
Team Leader of UKNIAF, Frank Edozie, described the project as a demonstrator of how artificial intelligence could enhance transparency and accountability in electricity revenue collection.
He said the pilot, which began in November 2025, had already recorded improved revenue recovery and reduced losses, noting that Enugu was selected due to reforms following Nigeria’s Electricity Act 2023.
Managing Director of Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited, Ernest Mupwaya, said the initiative addresses metering gaps and revenue protection, two major challenges in the power sector.
He added that improved revenue collection would make investments in the electricity sector more sustainable and attractive.
Earlier, Enugu State Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Samuel Ogbu-Nwobodo, said the successful pilot had demonstrated that smart metering could guarantee revenue assurance across the electricity value chain and boost investor confidence.
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