Why Nigeria Exports Electricity to Neighbouring Countries Despite Local Shortages – ECN DG

Nigeria exports electricity to neighbouring countries, including Benin Republic, Togo and Niger, despite domestic supply shortfalls, as part of strategic and diplomatic agreements to safeguard the country’s energy and water resources, the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has explained.

Speaking in Abuja, ECN Director-General Mustapha Abdullahi said about six per cent of Nigeria’s generated power is supplied to Benin Republic. He noted that the arrangement is not solely commercial but also aimed at preventing neighbouring countries from constructing dams on shared waterways, such as the River Niger, which could reduce water inflow to Nigeria’s major hydroelectric plants at Kainji, Shiroro and Jebba.

Abdullahi said Nigeria currently generates, transmits and distributes around 6,000 megawatts of electricity, up from about 4,000 megawatts two years ago, but acknowledged that many communities still lack reliable access to power.

He added that the export agreements, some of which fall under the Multilateral Energy Sales framework, are part of longstanding regional cooperation initiatives. In return for the supply, neighbouring countries commit to not interfering with shared river systems vital to Nigeria’s energy generation.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) handles the physical delivery of exported power, while the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) regulates the volume, recently capping exports at six per cent of grid generation to prioritise local consumption.

Abdullahi emphasised that the policy balances Nigeria’s domestic energy needs with its regional obligations, while also protecting critical natural resources that support the country’s power infrastructure.