News in brief:
– KEDCO is set to commission a ₦1.1 billion electricity expansion project to boost power supply at the Dawanau International Grain Market in Kano.
– The project will increase daily electricity supply from four to over 20 hours, benefiting over 400 agro-processing businesses and supporting regional food security.
The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has announced plans to commission a ₦1.1 billion expansion project for its electricity network at the Dawanau International Grain Market, located in Kano State.
The project, which includes a 33kV overhead line from the Bichi Transmission Station to Dawanau, aims to improve power supply to the market, a critical hub for grain trade and food distribution across the Sahel region.
Powering Africa’s largest grain market
Acting Managing Director of KEDCO, Abubakar Shuaibu Jimeta, disclosed the development on Thursday during an inspection visit to the project site.
According to him, the power infrastructure includes two substations, 500kVA transformers, and low-tension distribution lines designed to serve the energy demands of the Dawanau market cluster.
“Previously, the market only received about four hours of electricity daily,” Jimeta noted. “This new system will provide over 20 hours of daily power supply, increase capacity by 10 megawatts, and benefit more than 400 agro-processing businesses. Operational costs could drop by as much as 80%.”
Backed by state and development partners
Jimeta stated that the electricity upgrade is aligned with the Kano State Government’s Market Development Programme, which is backed by the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihood Fund.
Board Director Habib Ahmed Daura commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his administration’s support, also acknowledging key contributions from the Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Gaddafi Sani Shehu, and the MD of the Kano State Rural Electricity Board, Sani Bala.
Unlocking industrial growth in Northern Nigeria
KEDCO Chairman, Adamu Ibrahim-Gumel, described the initiative as a strategic move to unlock the industrial potential of the Dawanau cluster.
“As the largest grain market in sub-Saharan Africa, improving Dawanau’s electricity access will increase KEDCO’s energy off-take, boost revenue, and spur economic activities,” he said.
He added that the project forms part of a larger agenda by KEDCO’s core investor, Future Energies Africa, in partnership with the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the state governments of Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa.
“We remain committed to prioritising power supply to commercial and industrial hubs, which are vital to Nigeria’s economic transformation,” Ibrahim-Gumel said.
