The World Bank has approved $500 million to support Nigeria in improving electricity distribution in the country.
This was disclosed by the global financial institution firm via a statement seen by Nairametrics on Friday.
In the statement, Shubham Chaudhuri, World Bank’s Country Director, explained that the project will help boost electricity access by improving the performance of the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) through a large-scale metering program desired by Nigerians for a long time.
Also, financial support would be provided to private distribution companies only on achievement of results in terms of access connections, improved financial management and network expansion.
Chaudhuri said, “Improving access and reliability of power is key to reduce poverty and unlocking economic growth in the aftermath of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“The operation will help improve the financial viability of the DISCOs and increase revenues for the whole Nigerian power sector, which is critical to save scarce fiscal resources and create jobs by increasing the productivity of private and public enterprises.”
He added that the Nigeria Distribution Sector Recovery Program (DISREP) will help improve service quality, as well as the financial and technical performance of distribution companies by providing financing based on performance and reduction of losses.