International electricity customers from Togo, Benin, and Niger owe Nigeria approximately $17.8 million—equivalent to more than ₦25 billion at current exchange rates—for power supplied under bilateral arrangements in the third quarter of 2025.
Okay News reports that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), in its Q3 2025 report, revealed the three countries were invoiced $18.69 million by the Market Operator but remitted only $7.125 million, leaving an outstanding balance of $11.56 million for the quarter.
Legacy invoices from previous periods added $6.23 million unpaid after partial settlements of $7.84 million from a $14.7 million total.
The affected utilities are Compagnie Énergie Électrique du Togo (CEET), Société Béninoise d’Énergie Électrique (SBEE) of Benin, and Société Nigérienne d’Électricité (NIGELEC) of Niger.
Power is generated by grid-connected Nigerian Generation Companies (GenCos) and delivered through cross-border bilateral contracts.
Remittance performance for Q3 stood at a low 38.09 per cent, with over 60 per cent of invoices unpaid by quarter-end.
Some payments covered prior quarters, but overall arrears highlight persistent payment indiscipline.
In contrast, domestic bilateral customers achieved a stronger 87.61 per cent remittance rate, paying ₦3.19 billion out of ₦3.64 billion invoiced.
Nigeria’s 11 Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) remitted ₦381.29 billion out of ₦400.48 billion to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc and Market Operator, achieving 95.21 per cent performance.
The figures are based on reconciled settlements submitted as of December 18, 2025.
NERC has previously capped exports to prioritise domestic supply amid generation shortfalls and payment challenges.
These bilateral exports utilise surplus power but underscore tensions between regional obligations and local demand reliability.
The mounting arrears raise concerns over the sustainability of cross-border supply arrangements and potential impacts on Nigeria’s power sector liquidity.
