- International consumers didn’t pay $51.26 million for exported electricity in 2023.
- Bilateral power consumers owed N7.61 billion during the same period.
- NERC condemned the lack of payment and urged action from the Market Operator.
The Federal Government revealed that international consumers did not remit $51.26 million for electricity exported from Nigeria in 2023; bilateral power consumers also failed to remit N7.61 billion.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) condemned this as payment indiscipline and urged the Market Operator responsible for managing Nigeria’s power exports to take action.
Quarterly data analysis showed that international consumers should have paid $16.11 million, $11.97 million, $11.16 million, and $12.02 million for electricity. Bilateral consumers owed N827 million, N2.03 billion, N2.8 billion, and N1.95 billion.
Despite Nigeria’s power shortages, it exports electricity to neighbouring countries like Niger, Togo, and Benin. However, some international consumers consistently need to pay more.
NERC criticised international customers’ lack of payment in Q1 2023, noting that no listed international customers paid their invoices. The commission emphasised the need to enforce market rules.
Throughout 2023, payments from international customers remained inadequate, with only sporadic payments. NERC urged the Market Operator to act decisively.
In Q4 2023, no international or bilateral customers made payments. This highlights the need to address payment irregularities in Nigeria’s power sector.