Nigeria is set to export electricity to 14 African countries following its successful synchronization with the West African Power Pool (WAPP), a specialized agency of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This historic achievement is expected to earn Nigeria foreign exchange, attract investment, and stimulate industrial development.
The country’s current export capacity stands at 600MW, with only 350MW being exported to Benin, Togo, and Niger. The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, assured that domestic electricity demand would be met, emphasizing that the export would not compromise local supply.
In 2022, Nigeria exported $153 million worth of electricity, with Niger, Benin, and Togo being the main destinations. The country’s electricity exports have reached $112 million, with Benin and Niger being the primary recipients.
However, despite this success, Nigeria faces domestic power challenges, with many citizens lacking access to reliable electricity. The government has imposed a cap on electricity exports to prioritize domestic supply, with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) ordering that power delivery to neighboring countries must not exceed 6% of total grid electricity.
The export of electricity is expected to attract investment, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth, but experts urge the government to prioritize solving Nigeria’s domestic energy crisis before focusing on exports.
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