Togo, Niger, Benin owe Nigeria ₦25bn for electricity — NERC

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has disclosed that the Republics of Togo, Niger and Benin owe Nigeria a combined sum of ₦25 billion for electricity supplied through cross-border power agreements.

According to the Commission, the debt arose from electricity exported to the three West African neighbours via Nigeria’s generation and transmission infrastructure under existing bilateral and regional power supply arrangements.

NERC noted that while Nigeria continues to support regional energy integration and power sharing within the West African Power Pool (WAPP), the growing debt profile poses a financial strain on the country’s electricity market, especially at a time when domestic power supply challenges persist.

The regulator stressed the need for improved payment discipline by international customers, adding that outstanding obligations must be settled to ensure sustainability of cross-border electricity trade and protect Nigerian power generation companies from revenue losses.

The Commission also indicated that measures are being considered to strengthen enforcement of payment agreements, including possible reviews of export contracts and stricter conditions for continued power supply to defaulting countries.

Nigeria currently exports electricity to several neighbouring countries as part of regional cooperation efforts aimed at promoting energy stability and economic integration across West Africa.