Posted by Chinenye on Thu 30th Apr, 2026 - tori.ng
The Katsina State government has signed a major agreement with Conflow Power Group and Mora Energy to deploy 50,000 solar-powered smart streetlights known as “iLamp,” alongside the establishment of Africa’s first distributed AI data center.
In addition to establishing Africa's first distributed AI data center in the state, the Katsina State Government has signed an agreement with green technology company Conflow Power Group Limited for the installation of 50,000 solar-powered smart streetlights, or "iLamp" units.
Pique PR provided The PUNCH with a statement on Tuesday that included the admission.
The announcement claims that Conflow Power Group Limited and its Nigerian partner, Mora Energy, came to an arrangement with the state government for the widespread installation of solar-powered streetlights, which also serve as a distributed AI compute network that generates money.
The deployment goes beyond the smart city concept to provide intelligent infrastructure throughout the entire state, making Katsina Africa's first AI-powered smart state.
The statement clarified that, according to regulatory constraints, each iLamp unit can support AI-enabled cameras and monitoring systems for applications including public safety, traffic management, and infrastructure protection in addition to selling AI compute.
It further stated that the solar-powered units might offer high-efficiency LED illumination, Bluetooth connectivity, and public WiFi without adding to the state's operating expenses.
The deal coincides with mounting worries about conventional large-scale AI data centers, especially in the US, where some governments have imposed moratoriums because of their excessive water and electricity use.
"This agreement is a defining moment for how the world thinks about AI infrastructure, and we are proud that Katsina is the first Nigerian state to complete this process with us," stated Edward Fitzpatrick, CEO of Conflow Power Group Limited. Before writing to the governor, E every ministry asked the necessary questions and ensured its satisfaction with land use, highway regulations, data protection, and security.
"Katsina's 13.75 petaOPS arrives on an iLamp post powered by the sun, operational from day one, in contrast to traditional data center models, which typically require 300 megawatts of grid power, millions of liters of cooling water, and years of construction." CPG will establish its first factory in order to be the first to cross the line in Katsina and create Nigeria’s first Green Utility.”
The statement described the development as a step forward for Nigeria's smart infrastructure agenda and the company's expansion throughout Africa, noting that the agreement followed a multi-stage due diligence and regulatory review process required for public-private partnerships of that size in Nigeria.
It further stated that during the previous five months, executives from CPG and Mora Energy, under the leadership of Stanley Chuka-Umeora, Anthony Chuka-Umeora, and Labo Mahuta, had negotiated similar deployments in parallel with seven state governments in Nigeria as well as academic institutions, private companies, and religious organizations.
"The groundwork to get here was extensive, but now the real work begins," stated Stanley Chuka-Umeora, founder of Mora Energy. We plan to create a cutting-edge streetlight network that will increase street safety, integrate AI into nearby neighborhoods, andpositions Nigeria as a major player in global AI compute. We are proud of our whole team and look forward to what comes next.”
According to the announcement, the combined program will have more than 300,000 iLamp devices spread across federal, state, and institutional installations after all ongoing agreements are finalized, creating what it called the largest distributed autonomous lighting and AI computing network in Africa.
It also revealed that talks were in progress to implement the iLamp technology along Nigeria's 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, characterizing it as a project of critical national importance.
According to Dr. Hafiz Ahmad, Special Advisor on Power and Energy to the Katsina State Government, Katsina has emerged as Nigeria's leading state in terms of data center capacity, with the first distributed AI data center of its sort on the African continent.
Every installed bulb, every processing power unit, and every naira earned may all be properly audited. The advantages are revolutionary for the Katsina people. This translates into safer streets, free public internet, real-time crime and terrorist prevention, and a cash stream that returns to the state.
We are better prepared than ever to welcome anyone visiting Katsina to make investments in our wonderful state.