The Delta State Government has announced plans to establish the Delta State Electricity Regulatory Commission (DSERC) and the Delta State Rural Electrification Agency (DSREA) before the end of this year. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to reform the power sector, expand electricity access, and attract private investment.

The announcement was made during a panel session at the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026. Government officials, regulators, and private sector stakeholders discussed strategies for developing a competitive electricity market in the state.

Delta State Power Market Reform

The state government is working closely with the Ministry of Energy and private investors to ensure both institutions become operational before the year-end deadline. This collaborative effort aims to build a structured framework that supports sustainable power generation and distribution.

Public consultations will be held before the official rollout of Delta State’s electricity market framework. Additionally, an investor toolkit outlining regulatory requirements and investment opportunities will be released after the new regulatory board concludes its stakeholder engagements.

Unlocking the Blue Economy Potential

During the summit, Ronke Kosoko, a panel discussant on the Blue Economy, called on the Delta State Government to prioritize the development of its inland waterways. She described the blue economy as a major driver of investment, job creation, and long-term revenue generation.

Kosoko noted that the Federal Government has already laid the foundation for the sector through the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. This includes the approval of the National Marine and Blue Economy Policy (2025–2034), which states can leverage based on their comparative advantages.

Delta’s extensive waterways present major opportunities across fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, inland water transport, boat building, maritime services, and logistics. Kosoko pointed to Lagos State as an example, where strategic investment in inland waterways has attracted hundreds of millions of euros in investment.

To support local growth, Kosoko advocated for the enumeration of artisanal fishermen and women using the National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN). This data-driven approach would improve access to financing, modern fishing equipment, and cold-chain infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses.