Nigeria projects nearly $1 billion in annual revenue from exporting electricity to 15 West African countries. The estimate is based on the country’s ability to supply 600 megawatts (MW) at the prevailing regional tariff. Minister of Power Chief Adebayo Adelabu announced the figure after a successful grid‑synchronisation test with the West African Power Pool (WAPP) system on 8 November 2025. The test linked Nigeria’s national grid to the interconnected WAPP network, allowing uninterrupted power flow across borders for four hours.
The achievement positions Nigeria as a strategic regional power hub, ready to leverage its generation capacity and transmission infrastructure to supply neighbouring states. Adelabu said the government aims for permanent grid synchronisation by June 2026, with a second 48‑hour test run planned. The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) currently allocates 600 MW daily for bilateral power‑trade agreements. With an average approved end‑user tariff of $0.07 per kilowatt‑hour, Nigeria offers the cheapest electricity in West Africa. If exported at the regional tariff of $0.19 per kilowatt‑hour, the full 600 MW allocation could generate close to $1 billion in annual revenue, assuming uninterrupted export once permanent synchronisation is achieved.
The government has assured consumers that exporting power will not compromise domestic supply. Adelabu noted that synchronisation benefits will flow directly to Nigerians, improving essential services such as hospitals, water supply and transportation. Nigeria’s transmission wheeling capacity has risen to 8,500 MW, providing a stable backbone for future export commitments. However, low demand from distribution companies has kept actual generation around 5,000 MW, leaving roughly 3,500 MW stranded within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
The successful grid synchronisation marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest to become a major player in the West African power market. With 60 % of the country’s power‑generating plants now operating under free‑governor control, Nigeria is better equipped to respond to grid‑frequency changes, reducing instability and strengthening investor confidence in its electricity sector.
Comments are closed for this story.