Utilities

Access to power remains one of Nigeria’s chief economic and social issues, with about 90m citizens lacking access to electricity, while the World Bank estimates per capita usage is lower in just eight other countries. Indeed, as the biggest domestic market in Africa, the country has great potential for manufacturing, but most investment in the sector tends to prioritise a steady and reliable supply of power. The 2017 Power Sector Recovery Programme is providing a series of reforms aimed at prioritising investment, restructuring the sector and re-evaluating problems related to payment and tariffs. Alongside this, the development of new sources of energy, progress of independent power producers, local control of regional grid development, and funding to upgrade and expand the existing network are generating opportunities going forward. This chapter contains an interview with Ladi Sanni, CEO, Viathan Engineering.