Aba Power Plc has unveiled a new initiative to eliminate estimated billing across its coverage area by deploying 40,000 prepaid meters. This large-scale metering effort is also expected to generate around 350 new job opportunities.
The electricity distribution firm has partnered with both international and local companies to execute the project, aiming for widespread meter installation within a short timeframe. Assembling and installing the meters will involve multiple manufacturers who have signed agreements with Aba Power.
This development comes shortly after the company earned recognition as the first Nigerian DisCo to provide one month of uninterrupted electricity supply in recent history.
Edise Ekong, Senior Manager of Brand and Communication at Aba Power, stated that the project would begin with three meter vendors. Their combined efforts are intended to boost the distribution of prepaid meters throughout the DisCo’s jurisdiction.
Each vendor—Kayz Consortium, Chint Power, and Eve Electric—is expected to recruit a team comprising installers, assemblers, warehouse personnel, transport workers, and security operatives. According to Ekong, “over 100 jobs would be created at each of the companies partnering with Aba Power,” as reported by The SUN.
Kayz Consortium has already started assembling a 130-person team responsible for putting together 90,000 meters between April and December 2025. Eight foreign experts have been engaged to supervise operations and ensure top-tier standards during both the assembly and installation phases.
Ekong clarified their role:
“The expatriates will return to their home country when they conclude their supervision of the meter assembling, having trained enough of our people to continue assembling and installing the meters. These are representatives of the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) from China, and their presence ensures quality assurance in assembling and installing the meters in the field.”
Kayz Consortium’s Managing Director, Prince Kalu, confirmed that the assembly operations will take place at Aba Power’s facility located within the Osisioma Industrial Layout. The target for April 2025 is to install “20,000 prepaid meters” within the Aba Ring-fenced area.
The other two partners, Chint Power and Eve Electric, both China-based firms, are scheduled to deploy a team of 34 professional technicians starting May 2025 to lead installations.
Nigerian firms such as HAMPOC Utilities Limited and M.E. Meters will also contribute to this accelerated effort, which spans all 17 local government areas within Aba Power’s franchise territory.
Aba Power has set a long-term goal of eradicating estimated billing by rolling out prepaid meters to over 350,000 customers. Ekong emphasized that prepaid meters are a crucial tool in ensuring fairness:
“Prepaid meters increase transparency and accountability by ensuring that customers pay for what they use. It will also reduce complaints of exploitation, resulting in a win for all.”
This initiative also aligns with the federal government’s national metering strategy, which includes a “10-year payment plan” designed to make meters accessible to households unable to afford upfront payment.
In a related update, Aba Power has announced that the rollout of meters will begin next week. The company has put together a specialized team of 10 professionals led by Alfred Ategie, who heads the metering unit.
The DisCo’s timeline includes the installation of “20,000 modern prepaid meters in April and another 20,000 in May 2025,” bringing the total to 40,000 within two months.
