By Mahmoud
Three West African countries, Togo, Benin, and Niger, are reportedly owing Nigeria a combined ₦17.45 billion for electricity supplied in the first quarter of 2026.
This debt raises questions about Nigeria’s continued electricity supply to these countries, especially with many Nigerian communities still experiencing darkness.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had previously reported that these countries accumulated a debt of $9.55 million (₦13.07 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The payment performance was mixed, with some companies making partial payments, while others, like Odukpani-CEET in Togo, made no payment at all.
Nigeria’s power generation companies are facing revenue gaps due to these unpaid debts. The country’s domestic power supply remains inadequate, making it challenging to justify continued electricity exports. NERC has threatened to cut supply to defaulting countries, warning that persistent shortfalls threaten Nigeria’s electricity market stability.
The debt issue highlights Nigeria’s struggle to recover payments for electricity exports. Despite domestic customers showing stronger payment discipline, international customers continue to default. This trend raises concerns about the financial viability of cross-border energy trade.
Togo’s CEET and Benin’s SBEE are among the defaulters, with minimal or no payments made. Niger’s NIGELEC, however, fully settled its $3.03 million invoice. NERC emphasizes that these defaults cast a shadow on Nigeria’s electricity market sustainability.
The Nigerian government faces a tough decision: prioritize domestic power needs or maintain regional energy cooperation. With many communities lacking access to electricity, some argue that Nigeria should focus on its own citizens first.
Others suggest that cutting off electricity supply could harm regional relations and economic cooperation. They advocate for negotiated payment plans and strengthened bilateral agreements to ensure Nigeria’s energy exports are compensated fairly.
Editor -in-Chief MAHMOUD MUHAMMAD
About The Author
