- Ghana and Nigeria are negotiating an energy barter deal involving an electricity-for-gas exchange.
- The arrangement could strengthen regional energy security and deepen West African cooperation.
An energy barter deal between Ghana and Nigeria could redefine energy cooperation in West Africa. According to Energy and Green Transition Minister John Jinapor, Ghana is negotiating with Nigeria to export electricity in exchange for gas.
He announced this at the Future of Energy Conference (FEC), hosted by the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP). The proposal, he explained, seeks to improve energy security while promoting deeper West African integration.
Mr Jinapor emphasised that Ghana already receives gas from Nigeria. Consequently, the country converts this gas into electricity, which is then re-exported. Therefore, a structured barter deal could allow Ghana to supply electricity directly to Nigeria in return for reliable gas flows.
He further noted Ghana’s significant role in regional energy trade. The country already exports electricity to Togo, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin. In addition, Ghana is advancing its nuclear energy programme, which will provide a dependable base-load supply for the subregion.
The Future of Energy Conference provided the platform for this announcement. The event gathers governments, multilateral institutions, private sector leaders, academics, and civil society groups. It enables discussions on governance, innovation, and policies required to address Africa’s persistent energy access gap.
This year’s edition carried the theme: “Financing Africa’s Energy Future: Unlocking Investments for Energy Access and Economic Transformation.” Consequently, delegates examined how Africa could mobilise resources to close energy poverty and accelerate industrial growth.
The proposed arrangement also highlights the broader ambition for regional cooperation. If implemented successfully, the energy barter deal could deepen economic ties and strengthen energy stability. As a result, both Ghana and Nigeria would benefit from improved energy security, while other West African nations could gain from surplus power supply.
This initiative also illustrates how African states explore innovative partnerships to solve common challenges. However, its success will depend on strong policy coordination, mutual trust, and long-term investment in infrastructure.