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NERC report shows foreign buyers remitted only half of 2025 electricity bills
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Benin, Togo, and Niger among defaulters as $8.53m debt remains unpaid
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Commission warns shortfall undermines Nigeria’s power sector liquidity
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) reveals that neighbouring West African nations Benin and Togo have failed to pay more than half of what they owe Nigeria for electricity supplied during the second quarter of 2025.
In its latest Q2 2025 performance report, the Commission revealed that six international bilateral customers — including utilities in Benin, Togo, and Niger — remitted only $9.01 million out of a total $17.54 million invoice issued by the Market Operator.
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The partial payment leaves an outstanding balance of about $8.53 million, representing a remittance performance of 51.33 percent.
Breakdown of International Debtors
The report identified Société Béninoise d’Énergie Électrique (SBEE) of Benin, Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo (CEET), and Niger’s NIGELEC as the top international customers owing Nigerian generation companies.
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While Mainstream Energy Solutions received $2.59 million out of a $3.71 million invoice from NIGELEC — a 69.8 percent remittance — CEET reportedly made no payment for its $4.31 million electricity supply during the period.
SBEE, which buys power from Transcorp Power Limited and Paras Energy, also left a portion of its invoices unsettled.
“The six international bilateral customers made a payment of $9.01 million against a cumulative invoice of $17.54 million issued by the Market Operator, translating to a remittance performance of 51.33 percent,” NERC stated.
Domestic Customers Also Owing
The report further disclosed that domestic bilateral customers paid only N1.4 billion of the N2.8 billion invoiced for services rendered within the same quarter, showing a 50.10 percent payment performance.
Only the Transcorp (Ughelli)–SBEE contract achieved full remittance, paying its entire $5.47 million invoice. Other deals, including Paras–SBEE, Paras–CEET, and Odukpani–CEET, recorded zero payment.
NERC added that one local customer, Trans-Amadi (OAU/FMPI), made partial payments for outstanding invoices from previous quarters, contributing N10.53 million to old debts.
Liquidity Threat in Power Sector
The Commission warned that the continued payment shortfall from both international and domestic customers poses a serious threat to the liquidity and sustainability of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
It stressed that generation companies and the Market Operator rely on prompt remittances to maintain stable grid operations and sustain energy delivery across borders.
