Nigeria exported electricity worth N181.62 billion between January and September 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
A quarterly breakdown shows N58.65 billion in exports to Togo, Benin, and Niger Republic during the first quarter, N63.28 billion in the second, and N59.69 billion in the third. These exports continued despite restrictions imposed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to prioritize domestic energy supply.
In May 2024, NERC implemented a cap limiting electricity exports to 6% of Nigeria’s total grid output, citing concerns over inefficient grid operations and their impact on local power distribution. The cap, introduced through a Supplementary Order issued in April, is scheduled for review after six months.
NERC justified the cap by highlighting challenges faced by Distribution Companies (Discos) in meeting Service-Based Tariff (SBT) obligations to industrial, commercial, and residential consumers. The commission also criticized the prioritization of international contracts over local power needs, labeling the practice as inequitable and detrimental to domestic energy access.
Despite these restrictions, the significant export figures underscore ongoing tensions between fulfilling international energy agreements and addressing Nigeria’s pressing domestic power challenges. The NERC directive aims to rebalance priorities, ensuring the nation’s electricity supply better serves its citizens while addressing grid inefficiencies.
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