Electricity is and remains one of the most basic social amenities, as every gadget, machine, and device depends on it. Our work, activities, and comfort depend on it, too. Light is meant to be constant and accessible to all and can be very inconvenient when unavailable. 

In Nigeria, electricity is paid for either by buying electric units for your prepaid meter or by paying the estimated bill for your postpaid meter. 

This article will discuss the top 5 apps for buying electricity units fast in Nigeria. We will also examine the criteria to look for before selecting an app, the different distribution companies in Nigeria and where they operate.

Buying Electric Units

In Nigeria, the kind of meter you use determines how you will pay to get electricity. There are two kinds of meters:

• Prepaid Meter
• Postpaid Meter 

Prepaid meters allow you to pay for electricity before you use it. It works like buying airtime on your phone before you make calls. For it to work, you buy what is known as ‘electric units or tokens’ of any amount and recharge it into the meter.

Postpaid Meters, in reverse, calculate the amount of electricity consumed over time and accumulate the charges. Then, the user receives a bill to pay within a specific time to avoid disconnection. 

Electricity Tariff Rates in Nigeria

The electricity tariff rate in Nigeria is measured in kilowatt-hour (kWh). The cost of electricity also depends on your band of electricity.. There are 5 bands of electricity distribution in Nigeria which are;

• Band A: Minimum of 20 hours of electricity per day at 225 naira per kilowatt hour (kWh).
• Band B: Minimum of 16 hours of electricity per day at 65 naira per kilowatt hour (kWh). 
• Band C: Minimum of 12 hours of electricity per day at 54 naira per kilowatt hour (kWh). 
• Band D: Minimum of 8 hours of electricity per day at 45.29 naira per kilowatt hour (kWh). 
• Band E: Minimum of 4 hours of electricity per day at 45.29 naira per kilowatt hour (kWh).

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Top 5 Apps to Buy Electricity Units Fast in Nigeria

Here are our top picks for the best apps to recharge your prepaid meter.

1. Koyn

Koyn is a popular app in Nigeria that makes bill payments and purchases electricity units. The app is user-friendly and easy to navigate. This crypto app allows you to change your naira to USDT and vice versa. You can also recharge your prepaid meter with the Koyn app. Its transactions are fast and safe, and affordable. The Koyn app is available in Google Play and Apple stores. It has a website, too. 

2. BuyPower

BuyPower is a Nigerian platform where you can conveniently buy electricity tokens online. It supports significant electricity distribution companies (DisCos) like AEDC, IKEDC, and EKEDC.On its website or mobile app, you can pay using debit cards, bank transfers, or USSD anytime. BuyPower provides instant transactions, safe payment options, and transaction history tracking. Simply enter your meter number, pay, and obtain a token to slot into your meter. BuyPower provides a fast, safe, and hassle-free electricity payment experience.

3. PayPower

PayPower is an alternative platform for getting electricity tokens. It supports significant power distribution companies (DISCO) such as AEDC, IKEDC, and EKEDC. On its website or mobile app, you can pay 24/7 through bank transfer or debit card. If you’re out of power, with PayPower, you can get your lights back on in a flash. Just type in your meter number and pay, and we’ll send you your token instantly. You’ll also have a record of every payment—easy, secure, and stress-free.

4. Bill Point

Bill Point is a top app in Nigeria that allows users to make payments for electricity, education, airtime, betting, cable TV, data bundle top-up, Showmax subscription, and internet. It is also available 24/7. Download the app from the app store, sign up for free, and fund your account. BillPoint also offers rewards for successful referrals; you receive a bonus when they sign up and make their first deposit.

5. VTpass

VTpass is a good platform for paying for everyday services like phone airtime, data subscriptions, electricity bills, TV subscriptions, education services, insurance covers, and merchants’ services. Transactions here are fast and reliable. It’s easy to navigate and use, working on every device. You can create accounts using email and phone numbers or pay for services directly. The platform works on all devices. It is available in Google Play and Apple stores.

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Criteria for Choosing an App to Buy Electric Units

1. Speed and Reliability: When your token gets exhausted and your light goes out, you must recharge it as soon as possible. Therefore, choose apps that get your electricity units to you instantly.
2. User-Friendliness: You shouldn’t struggle to buy electricity. The app should be simple, clean, and easy to navigate. You want to find what you need quickly without getting lost. It should be so easy that even a newbie could use it.
3.  Customer Support: Even with the best apps, things can go wrong. When that happens, you need help. You want an app with customer support that’s helpful and easy to reach, whether via chat, email, or phone number.
4. Coverage: Nigeria has different electricity distribution companies (DisCos). You need an app that works with your company. It’s no good if the app only covers a few areas. Ensure these apps work with a wide range of electricity providers so you can use them wherever you are.
5. Security and Trust: Use apps with secure payment systems from trusted companies. Look for apps with good reviews and solid security measures.

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Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) in Nigeria

These are the electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) we have in Nigeria and their respective areas of operation:

Nigeria’s Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos)	Areas of Operation
Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC)	Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC)	Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti States.
Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC)	Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, and Abia States.
Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC)	Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara, and parts of Kogi, Ekiti, and Ondo States.
Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC)	Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, and parts of Kogi and Taraba States.
Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO)	Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Yobe States.
Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC)	Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and parts of Imo States.
Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC)	Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Gombe, and Bauchi States.

These DisCos are responsible for distributing electricity in their respective regions and handling customer billing, metering, and service maintenance within their jurisdictions.

Conclusion

Electricity is sweet for everyday life, and having a reliable way to purchase electricity units for uninterrupted power is even sweeter. Choose the best app for your needs based on factors like speed, reliability, security, and customer support. 

The five apps highlighted earlier—Koyn, BuyPower, PayPower, Bill Point, and VTpass—offer smoother and better ways to recharge prepaid meters, keeping devices and households running.