Enugu State Partners With United Kingdom to Deploy AI Smart Meters Against Electricity Theft and Losses

Enugu State introduces AI enabled smart metering with UK support to eliminate power revenue losses and attract private investment to the regional energy market.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 4:19 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Sun Nigeria

A Technological Shield for Regional Power Revenue

The Enugu State Government has successfully implemented an artificial intelligence driven metering pilot program designed to modernize the regional electricity market and halt systemic financial bleeding. In a strategic collaboration with the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility, the state is utilizing smart technology to create a transparent billing ecosystem that discourages illegal connections and energy diversion. According to Chijioke Okonkwo, Chairman of the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission, this initiative targets the persistent challenges of revenue leakages and collection inefficiencies that have historically stifled the growth of the local power sector.

The Strategic Blueprint for Smart Grid Expansion

This infrastructure project was formally showcased at a high level investor forum focused on data driven metering as a catalyst for private sector participation. Funded by UK International Development and executed by Tetra Tech, the program aligns with the legal framework provided by the Electricity Act 2023, which grants Nigerian states the autonomy to manage their internal power markets. The collaboration emphasizes the necessity of climate smart infrastructure, positioning Enugu as a primary beneficiary of international technical expertise in the pursuit of sustainable energy management and grid stability.

Precision Tracking From Transformers to Households

Practical application of the technology has already commenced with the installation of 846 smart units within the Ugwuaji axis and surrounding semi urban districts. This localized deployment allows regulators to monitor the entire flow of electricity, tracing energy from distribution transformers down to individual residential connections. As noted by Okonkwo, the system provides real time data visibility, which empowers utility operators to identify irregularities or equipment vandalism instantly. By closing the gap between energy supplied and revenue collected, the state intends to prove that local distribution networks can be both profitable and reliable.