Sahara Power Pushes Digital Grid Adoption to Improve Electricity Supply

Sahara Power Group has called for the adoption of a digital electricity grid as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s persistent power supply challenges and improve efficiency across the country’s electricity value chain.

The Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, Kola Adesina, made the call in remarks delivered on his behalf during the IoT West Africa Conference in Lagos.

Adesina stated that a digital electricity grid represents one of the fastest and most sustainable pathways to achieving reliable power supply nationwide, particularly as the country continues to face transmission inefficiencies, limited grid visibility, and inadequate real-time operational intelligence.

The presentation was delivered by the Group Head, Human Resources at Sahara Group, Emilomo Arorote.

According to Adesina, Nigeria’s electricity sector possesses significant generation potential, but supply gaps persist due to operational limitations within the national grid infrastructure.

He explained that the deployment of a digital grid would introduce real-time monitoring, automation, and predictive intelligence into electricity networks, enabling operators to respond more effectively to system disruptions and demand fluctuations.

“Sensors deployed on transformers and other critical assets can detect faults before failures occur, while smart meters improve transparency and billing accuracy,” he said.

Adesina added that the integration of advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence into live operational systems would enable electricity operators to forecast energy demand more accurately, reduce technical and commercial losses, identify energy theft faster, and shift from reactive maintenance to preventive infrastructure management.

He noted that digital technologies could significantly improve operational efficiency across generation, transmission, and distribution networks while enhancing reliability for electricity consumers.

The Sahara Power executive cited several practical examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of digital grid systems in improving electricity supply and operational performance.

He stated that the Aba Power industrial cluster in Abia State operates as a near-isolated smart grid capable of automatically disconnecting from the national grid within milliseconds when instability is detected, thereby ensuring continuity of electricity supply to customers.

Adesina also referenced developments in South Africa, noting that improved grid management systems have contributed to more than 320 consecutive days without load shedding, largely through optimisation of existing infrastructure.

According to him, Mozambique has also achieved measurable improvements through the deployment of smart prepaid metering systems, reducing electricity losses from 43 per cent to 21 per cent.

The Sahara Power Group Managing Director stressed that Nigeria could achieve similar progress through strategic investment in digital infrastructure and policy support for modern electricity technologies.

He called for import duty waivers on critical digital grid equipment, including sensors, smart meters, and battery storage systems, noting that such incentives would strengthen the electricity value chain and accelerate adoption of smart technologies.

Adesina also highlighted Sahara Power Group’s inclusion in the Mission 300 Private Sector Council, an initiative led by the World Bank and development partners aimed at expanding electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030.

He stated that the development reflects growing international confidence in private sector-driven solutions within Africa’s energy sector.

The energy executive urged operators within Nigeria’s electricity sector to begin digitising critical infrastructure immediately rather than waiting for ideal market conditions.

He also encouraged financiers and development institutions to expand blended financing models that combine public, philanthropic, and private capital to unlock investments in electricity distribution infrastructure.

According to him, increased investment in digital grid systems would support greater resilience within the sector while improving energy access and operational sustainability.

Adesina further called on young Nigerian engineers, developers, and technology entrepreneurs to develop innovative digital solutions capable of addressing challenges within the power sector.

He said electricity operators are increasingly willing to adopt technologies that deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, monitoring, and customer service.

“The quantum leap is not a slogan; it is a decision. With the right partnerships and choices, reliable electricity is within reach, and the future of Nigeria’s power sector can be one of resilience, confidence, and growth,” Adesina said.

Industry stakeholders have continued to identify outdated infrastructure, inadequate investment, and weak transmission systems as major obstacles limiting electricity supply across Nigeria.

Experts argue that digital transformation within the power sector could significantly improve grid reliability, reduce losses, enhance revenue collection, and strengthen overall operational performance.

Sahara Power Group maintained that accelerating digital adoption across Nigeria’s electricity network remains essential to achieving sustainable energy access, supporting economic growth, and improving industrial productivity nationwide.