Nigeria, a key electricity supplier to several West African nations, has recently disclosed the scale of outstanding electricity debts owed by some of its regional partners.
According to the report, the Market Operator invoiced a total of $18.69 million for electricity supplied to three countries during the review period. However, only $7.125 million was remitted, leaving an outstanding balance of $11.56 million.
In addition, international bilateral clients were reported to have legacy invoices amounting to $14.7 million, of which $7.84 million was paid, resulting in an unpaid balance of $6.23 million.
As reported by The Punch Newspaper, the cumulative debt carried over from previous quarters through Q3 2025 stood at $17.8 million, equivalent to N25.36 billion.
The electricity regulator identified the international offtakers as Compagnie Énergie Électrique du Togo, Société Béninoise d’Énergie Électrique of the Republic of Benin, and Société Nigérienne d’Électricité of the Republic of Niger.
The regulatory body further noted that the three foreign bilateral clients purchasing electricity from grid-connected Generation Companies paid a combined $7.125 million toward the $18.69 million invoice issued by the Market Operator for services rendered in Q3 2025.
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The report added that a majority of the invoices remained unpaid at the close of the quarter, with remittance levels reflecting a 38.09 percent performance rate.
“The three international bilateral customers being supplied by GenCos in the NESI made a payment of $7.12 million against the cumulative invoice of $18.69 million issued by the MO for services rendered in 2025/Q3, translating to a remittance performance of 38.09 percent,” the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission stated.
By contrast, the commission noted stronger compliance among domestic bilateral customers.
“The domestic bilateral customers made a cumulative payment of N3.19 billion against the invoice of N3.64 billion issued to them by the MO for services rendered in 2025/Q3, translating to 87.61 percent remittance performance,” it added.
The NERC also disclosed that out of a total invoice of N400.48 billion, Nigeria’s 11 electricity distribution companies remitted N381.29 billion to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc and the Market Operator in Q3 2025, reflecting a remittance performance of 95.21 percent.
Source: africa.businessinsider.com
