3 African Countries Stare at Blackout as Nigeria Cuts Their Electricity Supply Over Debt

• The Nigerian government mandated power-generating companies to reduce electricity supply to neighbouring countries
• The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) gave the order following high indebtedness by the three countries
• The directives mandated the system operator to limit power generation to Togo, Benin Republic, and Niger to six per cent pending payment of debts

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is set to enhance power supply to domestic consumers following its orders directing the System Operator (SO) to cap supplies to international customers by 6% of domestic supplies.

Which countries are facing power supply cuts?

The affected countries include Togo, Benin Republic and the Niger Republic.

The development comes amid a high level of indebtedness and non-remittance of electricity bills supplied to the countries over the years.

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Nigeria sells electricity to neighbouring countries such as Benin Republic, Togo, and Niger under the international treaty.

According to NERC’s 2023 quarter-one report, the three countries owe Nigeria a combined KSh 2.2 billion in electricity debt.

NERC stated that the non-payment of debts owed by international and bilateral customers continues a pattern that could cause the operator to invoke the provisions of the market rules, to curtail the payment indiscipline displayed.

A NERC order of April 29, 2024, says the directive will last for six months in the first instance before the review from May 1, 2024.

Leadership reported that NERC's interim cap order on international customers aims to reduce the impact on domestic generating companies’ supply obligations.

Nigeria supplies a part of the electricity it generates to some neighbouring countries, such as Togo, the Benin Republic, and the Niger Republic.

Reports indicated that the NERC order mandates that the countries' power supply must not exceed 6% of the total grid electricity at any time.

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Which countries have highest electricity connections?

Africa still has a low electrification rate of 45%, according to the International Energy Agency, whereas Asian nations have a higher rate of 94%.

Cape Verde has Africa's highest household electricity prices, followed by Rwanda, Mali, Burkina Faso and Gabon.

Mauritius and North African countries have the highest electricity connection rates in Africa, with 100% power supply.

Proofreading by Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

Source: Legit.ng