Nigeria’s electricity sector has been hit by a twist, as neighbouring countries failed to fully pay for power supplied in the third quarter of 2025. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) revealed that Togo, Niger, and Benin Republic together owe Nigeria $11.57 million for electricity already delivered under bilateral agreements.
According to NERC, this shortfall has raised fresh concerns about cross-border power trade within the West African region.
The disclosure came through the commission’s Q3 2025 market report, which highlighted weak payment performance from international customers despite ongoing energy demand.
Therefore, the development has drawn attention from both regulators and market players.
In the report, NERC explained that the Market Operator issued invoices amounting to $18.69 million to international electricity buyers.
However, only $7.12 million was eventually paid. This translated to a remittance rate of just 38.09 percent.
“The three (3) international bilateral customers being supplied by GenCos in the NESI made a payment of $7.12 million against the cumulative invoice of $18.69 million issued by the MO for services rendered in 2025/Q3, translating to a remittance performance of 38.09%,” the report said.
The affected customers were listed as Compagnie Énergie Électrique du Togo, Société Béninoise d’Énergie Électrique of Benin Republic, and Société Nigérienne d’Électricité of Niger Republic.
Meanwhile, the unpaid balance has continued to raise questions about enforcement and sustainability of regional power agreements.
However, NERC noted that domestic bilateral customers performed much better during the same period.
They reportedly paid ₦3.19 billion out of the ₦3.64 billion invoiced, representing an 87.61 percent remittance level.
Moreover, some customers cleared older debts, as the Market Operator received $7.84 million from international buyers and ₦1.29 billion from local customers for previous quarters.
In addition, the commission raised serious concerns over Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and its host community. Classified as a special customer, the firm failed to pay any part of its ₦1.03 billion invoice issued by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc.
A further ₦100 million invoice from the Market Operator also remained unpaid.
NERC said this non-payment followed a long-running pattern. Therefore, the commission disclosed that federal government intervention had been requested to address the issue. This situation has again placed focus on the growing burden of unpaid power bills within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
