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CEET and SBEE failed to remit majority of invoices for power supply
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Only 33.7% of total $17.24m billed to international customers was paid
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NERC warns persistent defaults threaten Nigeria’s electricity market stability
The Republics of Benin and Togo have defaulted on electricity payments to Nigeria, accumulating debts of over $11 million in the first quarter of 2025, according to the latest report from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The two countries, through their national power companies — Société Béninoise d’Énergie Électrique (SBEE) and Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo (CEET) — paid only a fraction of their invoices for electricity supplied under bilateral contracts.
Togo’s CEET, which received power through agreements with Odukpani and Paras Energy, made no payment at all during the quarter. Similarly, Benin’s SBEE, with contracts via Transcorp and Paras, only settled a portion of its obligations.
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The NERC report showed:
- PARAS-CEET (Togo) remitted $0.63m of its $1.92m invoice.
- TRANSCORP-SBEE (Afam 3) paid $0.3m out of $1.73m.
- TRANSCORP-SBEE (Ughelli) settled $1.82m against a total bill of $4.97m.
- ODUKPANI-CEET and PARAS-SBEE made no payment.
In total, only $5.8m of the $17.24m billed to six international bilateral customers was paid, representing a 33.70 per cent remittance rate. In contrast, Niger Republic’s NIGELEC, supplied by Mainstream Energy, fully paid its $3.03m invoice.
The repeated defaults by Benin and Togo have heightened concerns over the financial sustainability of Nigeria’s cross-border power trade. NERC has warned that persistent shortfalls could trigger supply cuts to both countries.
Domestic payment challenges persist
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The report also revealed that while domestic performance was comparatively stronger, several Nigerian bilateral customers failed to meet their obligations.
Notable defaulters included:
- Ajaokuta Steel Company, which failed to pay its N1.38bn (NBET) and N134.05m (MO) invoices.
- NDPHC/SUNFLAG, TAOPEX/KAM INT, TAOPEX/Kam Steel, and Sapele/Phoenix, all of which made no payment.
- Alaoju GENCO/APLE paid only N100 million of its N455.36m invoice (a 21.96% remittance rate).
Some customers, however, cleared their dues in full. MSTM/Inner Galaxy settled its N1.64bn invoice, while others made partial payments.
