The Republics of Benin and Togo have failed to remit over $11 million owed to Nigeria for electricity supplied in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). This debt accumulation is not new, as these countries have historically struggled with paying their electricity bills.
Nigeria supplies electricity to its neighboring countries, including Benin, Togo, and Niger Republic, on a 24-hour basis. These countries are billed for the electricity they receive, but payment compliance has been a challenge. As of the first quarter of 2023, Benin owed N72.1 billion, while Togo owed N10.03 billion. The debt accumulation has been significant, with N132.2 billion accumulated over four years.
The payment issues have been ongoing, with instances where Benin and Togo didn’t make any payments for the supplied electricity. This lack of payment has implications for Nigeria’s power sector, which is working to improve electricity supply to both its citizens and neighboring countries.
Nigeria’s electricity supply to neighboring countries is a significant aspect of the country’s power sector. The country has been working to improve its power infrastructure and ensure consistent electricity supply. However, the debt accumulation from Benin and Togo highlights the challenges that Nigeria faces in its international electricity transactions.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has been monitoring the situation and working to address the payment issues. However, more needs to be done to ensure that Nigeria’s power sector can sustainably supply electricity to its neighboring countries while also meeting the needs of its citizens.
The debt owed by Benin and Togo is not just a financial issue but also has implications for the reliability and stability of Nigeria’s power sector. If these countries continue to fail to pay their electricity bills, it could impact Nigeria’s ability to maintain and improve its power infrastructure, ultimately affecting the quality of electricity supply to both domestic and international customers.
In conclusion, the failure of Benin and Togo to remit over $11 million owed to Nigeria for electricity supplied in the first quarter of 2025 highlights the ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s international electricity transactions. Addressing these payment issues will be crucial to ensuring the sustainability and reliability of Nigeria’s power sector.
