Nigeria exported electricity worth N181.62 billion to neighboring countries—Togo, Benin, and Niger Republic—from January to September 2024, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The breakdown of the exports reveals:
• Q1 2024: N58.65bn
• Q2 2024: N63.28bn
• Q3 2024: N59.69bn
Despite this significant export activity, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) capped electricity exports in May to boost domestic supply. The regulation limits cross-border electricity delivery to a maximum of 6% of total grid electricity at any time.
This directive, detailed in the “Interim Order on Transmission System Dispatch Operations, Cross-border Supply, and Related Matters”, was part of efforts to address sub-optimal grid dispatch practices. The order is subject to review after six months.
The balance between exporting electricity and meeting domestic demand remains a challenge, with this regulation reflecting Nigeria’s efforts to prioritize local electricity needs.
