The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has disclosed that neighboring countries, including the Republics of Benin and Togo, owe Nigeria a combined $8.53 million for electricity exported in the second quarter of 2025.
According to NERC’s Second Quarter 2025 Report, six international bilateral customers, which receive power from Nigerian generation companies (GenCos), remitted only $9.01 million out of a total $17.54 million invoice issued by the Market Operator (MO) during the period. This leaves an outstanding balance of approximately $8.53 million, representing a remittance performance of just 51.33 percent.
Togo, Benin Lead Debt
The report indicates that key international buyers include the Société Béninoise d’Énergie Électrique (SBEE) of Benin, the Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo (CEET) of Togo, and NIGELEC of Niger.
The Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) is facing significant financial pressure due to the shortfall. Specifically:
- Togo’s CEET made no payment for its $4.31 million worth of power supply.
- Benin’s SBEE, which purchases electricity from Transcorp and Paras Energy, also left a portion of its invoice unpaid.
- Niger’s NIGELEC showed a slightly better remittance rate, paying $2.59 million out of a $3.71 million invoice, representing a 69.8 percent remittance.
NERC warned that the severe shortfall in payments from both international and domestic customers “continues to undermine the liquidity of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry,” where GenCos and the Market Operator rely on prompt remittances to maintain grid operations.
