Dr Kim Del Kaze argues that the electricity shortfall in northern Nigeria is more than an access issue, presenting an investment opportunity if fragmented demand can be aggregated into reliable, affordable service.

A recent survey of 559 households across six northern states found that 66.9 % have no renewable‑energy access, indicating that lack of supply is not solely due to income constraints.

The research highlights that limited awareness, low trust, education levels and mismatched products also restrict market development, suggesting that demand exists but is not yet organised.

To create bankable projects, developers must combine household and productive‑sector demand, aligning system sizes and payment schedules with local cash‑flow patterns.

Reliable technology, transparent pricing, local maintenance and trusted community partnerships are identified as key factors for turning dispersed need into durable service markets.

Current reliance on generators imposes high costs on households and small businesses through fuel expenses, lost working hours and spoilage, underscoring the economic burden of unreliable electricity.

Nigeria’s National Energy Compact cites distributed renewable energy as the least‑cost solution for over 60 million people, with mini‑grids favoured for northern settlements and standalone solar for remote areas.

Project design must consider varied customer needs: households may require basic lighting and phone charging, while farmers need seasonal irrigation and processors need dependable power for milling or welding.

Standard uniform payment models miss these differences; pay‑as‑you‑go, leasing, energy‑as‑a‑service and cooperative schemes that align with harvest cycles can bridge the affordability gap.

Transparent metering, clear service standards and local technicians for maintenance are essential to build trust and reduce payment disputes, making revenue streams more predictable for investors.

The Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale‑up project aims to reach 17.5 million people with new or improved electricity and to supply clean power to about 237 000 micro, small and medium enterprises.