NESP launches 2 energy efficiency networks in Kano

The Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power, has launched two Energy Efficiency Networks (EEN) in Kano State in a bid to improve energy efficiency and expand access to sustainable electricity.

The initiative, co-funded by the German Development Cooperation and the European Union, aims to support industries—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to reduce energy costs, improve productivity, and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Speaking during the launch, the Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, lamented the significant losses suffered by Nigerian businesses due to unstable electricity supply.

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He said energy now accounts for over 45 per cent of total production costs, a major contributor to the declining performance of industries across the country.

“Manufacturers, especially small and medium-scale industries, are the worst hit,” he noted, adding, “The cost of alternative energy rose sharply by 42.3 percent, from N781.68 billion in 2023 to N1.11 trillion in 2024. That is unsustainable.”

Ajayi-Kadir commended NESP’s efforts in establishing the Energy Efficiency Networks, describing them as a timely intervention that would enable manufacturers to identify and implement cost-saving energy solutions, reduce power consumption, and cut carbon emissions.

He urged stakeholders in the state to embrace the opportunity, adding, “I have no doubt that the Kano networks will be a huge success, as they will help industries integrate energy efficiency into their production processes and boost profitability.”

Also speaking at the event, the Kano State Commissioner for Investment, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Alhaji Shehu Sagagi, welcomed the initiative and pledged the government’s full support to ensure its success.

He expressed optimism that the programme would not only reduce operational costs for local industries but also attract new investments to the state.

“We appreciate the efforts of the EU and German cooperation partners. This initiative will help our industrialists save money and encourage more investors to consider Kano as a business destination,” Sagagi said.

In her remarks, the Head of Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Inga Stefanowicz, said energy efficiency remains a powerful tool for driving inclusive green growth.

“By reducing energy intensity and carbon emissions, while enhancing productivity and competitiveness in the industrial sector, this initiative can significantly contribute to Nigeria’s sustainable economic development,” she said.

The Energy Efficiency Networks are expected to serve as platforms for peer learning and collaboration among participating industries, enabling them to share best practices and jointly develop innovative solutions to energy challenges.