Togo, Niger, Benin Owe Nigeria $11.6m For Electricity Supplied In Q3 2025
By Naija Enquirer Staff
Three neighbouring countries — Togo, Niger and the Benin Republic — owe Nigeria a total of $11.57 million for electricity supplied under bilateral agreements in the third quarter of 2025, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has disclosed.
According to NERC’s Q3 2025 report, the market operator issued invoices totalling $18.69 million to international electricity offtakers during the period, but only $7.12 million was paid, representing a remittance rate of just 38 per cent.
The defaulting entities were identified as Compagnie Énergie Électrique du Togo, Société Béninoise d’Énergie Électrique of Benin Republic, and Société Nigérienne d’Électricité of Niger.
These companies receive electricity from Nigerian generation companies under bilateral arrangements within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
Domestically, remittance performance was stronger. Local bilateral customers paid ₦3.19 billion out of the ₦3.64 billion invoiced during the quarter, translating to an 88 per cent payment rate.
NERC also reported that some customers settled outstanding obligations from previous quarters, with international customers paying an additional $7.84 million and domestic customers remitting ₦1.3 billion.
However, the regulator expressed concern over continued non-payment by Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and its host community, which failed to pay a combined ₦1.13 billion invoice issued during the review period.
NERC warned that persistent non-payment, particularly by international electricity customers, could strain liquidity in Nigeria’s power sector and undermine the sustainability of cross-border electricity supply agreements.
The commission said it has formally notified relevant federal authorities to intervene and address ongoing non-compliance by defaulting customers.
