Nigeria Power Exports: Benin and Togo Owe Over $11 Million for Q1 2025 Electricity Supply, Says NERC

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has revealed that Benin and Togo collectively owe Nigeria more than $11 million for electricity supplied between January and March 2025, raising fresh concerns about the sustainability of cross-border energy trade in West Africa.

According to NERC’s latest report, six international customers were billed a total of $17.24 million for power supplied in the first quarter of 2025. However, only $5.8 million—about 34% of the amount due—has been paid so far.

Among the major defaulters, Togo’s utility, Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo (CEET), made no payment during the period, while Benin’s Société Béninoise d’Energie Electrique (SBEE) paid only a fraction of its outstanding charges. This leaves both countries with a combined debt exceeding $11 million to Nigeria.

NERC has warned that persistent non-payment by regional customers could disrupt electricity supply and destabilize bilateral energy agreements. The regulator has even threatened to cut supply to defaulters if payments are not brought up to date.

Experts warn that these growing debts undermine investor confidence and strain the liquidity of Nigeria’s power sector, which already faces significant financial and operational challenges.

Nigeria exports electricity to several neighboring countries—including Niger, Ghana, Benin, and Togo—under bilateral contracts with Nigerian generation companies (GenCos). While Niger met its obligations in full, paying its $3.03 million bill for Q1 2025, the mounting debts from Benin and Togo have sparked concerns over the sustainability and governance of regional electricity trade.

Analysts say the failure of Benin and Togo to settle their debts threatens to disrupt regional power dynamics, place additional pressure on Nigeria’s energy sector, and weaken confidence in cross-border electricity agreements—potentially putting future cooperation at risk.