Three West African countries — Benin Republic, Togo and Niger have failed to fully pay for electricity supplied by Nigeria, leaving an outstanding debt of $9.55 million in the fourth quarter of 2025.
According to the latest report by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the three countries were issued a combined invoice of $20.44 million for electricity supplied during the period. However, they remitted only $10.89 million, representing a payment performance of 53.28 per cent.
This means that for every $100 worth of electricity supplied, only $53.28 was paid, leaving a shortfall of $46.72.
The report noted that the power supply was executed through bilateral agreements involving generation companies in Nigeria and utilities in the three countries. In Benin Republic, electricity was supplied to the Société Béninoise d’Energie Electrique through Paras and Transcorp (Ughelli and Afam 3 plants).
In Togo, supply was made to the Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo via Paras and Odukpani. Meanwhile, Niger received electricity through the Société Nigerienne d’Electricite, supplied by Mainstream.
Performance across the contracts varied significantly. Paras-SBEE in Benin paid $1.67 million out of a $2.45 million invoice (68.16 per cent), while Paras-CEET in Togo paid $1.46 million from a $2.18 million bill (64.97 per cent). However, Transcorp-SBEE (Ughelli) recorded a particularly low remittance, paying just $0.46 million out of $3.74 million billed — only 12.30 per cent.
In contrast, domestic bilateral customers in Nigeria demonstrated stronger payment compliance. They collectively paid N3.5 billion out of N4.17 billion billed, representing a remittance rate of 84.23 per cent.
The report also highlighted that the Ajaokuta Steel Company, classified as a special customer, failed to make any payment despite being invoiced N1.26 billion during the same period.
All figures in the report are based on reconciled market settlements submitted to the commission as of April 2, 2026.
Credit: Punch
