Togo Seeks Higher Electricity Imports from Nigeria

The government of Togo has signalled its intention to increase electricity imports from Nigeria as part of efforts to meet rising domestic energy demand and sustain economic activity.

The proposed expansion of electricity supply is expected to take place through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), which operates several power plants under Nigeria’s National Integrated Power Project.

The Managing Director of NDPHC, Jennifer Adighije, disclosed this following discussions with a visiting delegation from Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo (CEET).

Strengthening Regional Power Cooperation

The Togolese delegation was led by CEET’s Director-General, Débo-K’mba Barandao, who said the country currently imports approximately 75 megawatt-hours of electricity from NDPHC under an existing bilateral power supply arrangement.

According to Barandao, electricity imported from Nigeria has played a significant role in stabilising Togo’s power supply and supporting economic activity across households, businesses, and public institutions.

He noted that the arrangement has improved reliability within Togo’s national grid and strengthened cooperation between the two countries in the electricity sector.

Barandao explained that electricity demand in Togo has risen significantly in recent years, driven by increasing industrial activity, expanding commercial operations, and government efforts to broaden national electricity access.

“In view of this development, CEET is strongly interested in increasing the volume of electricity it off-takes from NDPHC,” he said.

He added that additional supply would help support ongoing power expansion plans and ensure stable electricity for newly connected consumers across the country.

Nigeria Signals Readiness to Expand Supply

Responding to the request, NDPHC Managing Director Jennifer Adighije reaffirmed the company’s readiness to deepen cooperation and sustain electricity exports to neighbouring countries across West Africa.

She noted that NDPHC operates multiple generation plants under the National Integrated Power Project and has the capacity to support additional electricity supply to regional markets.

Adighije also emphasised that cross-border electricity trade must be supported by bankable commercial structures and credible payment frameworks to ensure sustainability.

According to her, structured financial guarantees and transparent payment mechanisms would reduce the risks associated with electricity exports.

“A reliable payment framework will safeguard NDPHC’s interests and enable continued support for regional energy stability through power exports,” she said.

Both sides described the meeting as productive and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening electricity sector cooperation.

They also agreed to continue discussions aimed at developing workable frameworks for expanding electricity supply from Nigeria to Togo.

BRANDECONOMY Insight

Togo’s request for increased electricity imports from Nigeria highlights an important but often under-appreciated dimension of West Africa’s energy landscape: regional electricity trade as a pathway to energy stability.

Despite Nigeria’s own domestic power challenges, the country remains one of the largest electricity producers in the sub-region and plays a central role in cross-border power supply through initiatives under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Three strategic implications stand out.

1. Nigeria as West Africa’s Energy Anchor

Nigeria’s large generation capacity—driven by gas-fired plants and projects under the National Integrated Power Project—positions it as a critical energy anchor for neighbouring countries that lack sufficient domestic generation.

Countries such as Togo, Benin, and Niger increasingly rely on Nigerian electricity to stabilise their grids and support industrial growth.

2. The Economics of Regional Power Markets

Expanding electricity exports offers Nigeria an opportunity to monetise excess generation capacity, particularly during periods when domestic distribution constraints prevent full utilisation of available power.

Cross-border electricity trade therefore represents a potential foreign-exchange revenue stream for Nigerian power producers.

3. Integration of West Africa’s Energy Infrastructure

The growing demand for electricity imports across the region underscores the importance of strengthening power-pool frameworks such as the West African Power Pool (WAPP).

Deeper regional integration could allow countries to share generation resources, stabilise supply, and reduce the cost of electricity production.

For Nigeria, the opportunity is twofold: strengthen its geopolitical influence in West Africa while transforming its power sector into a regional export industry rather than a purely domestic utility system.