Nigeria Targets Nearly $1 Billion Annual Revenue from Electricity Exports to West Africa by Mid-2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to generate approximately $1 billion (N1.49 trillion) in yearly revenue by exporting up to 600 MW of electricity to 15 West African countries starting June 2026, following the successful completion of permanent grid synchronization under the West African Power Pool (WAPP).
Power Minister Chief Adebayo Adelabu disclosed the projection during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, highlighting a landmark four-hour grid synchronization test conducted on November 8, 2025, that linked Nigeria’s grid with the rest of the WAPP network for the first time in history. The exercise, running smoothly from 5:04 a.m. to 9:04 a.m., demonstrated stable cross-border power flow at a unified frequency across Nigeria, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Mali.
At the regional average tariff of around $0.19/kWh — significantly higher than Nigeria’s domestic rate of approximately $0.07/kWh — exporting the full 600 MW allocation would yield roughly $114,000 per hour, $2.73 million daily, and close to $1 billion annually once permanent synchronization is achieved.
Officials emphasized that exports will not compromise domestic supply, noting that Nigeria’s transmission capacity now stands at 8,500 MW while actual generation hovers around 5,000 MW due to limited local demand, leaving substantial surplus available for regional trade.
The government has scheduled a follow-up 48-hour test once final agreements with regional operators are concluded, with permanent synchronization targeted for June 2026. Key enablers include rising compliance with free-governor control (now at 60% of generating plants, up from 20%) and ongoing transmission upgrades such as the North-Core line and Kaduna–Kano reinforcement.
Minister Adelabu described the development as a turning point for regional energy integration, adding that a more resilient and interconnected grid will enhance domestic reliability for households, hospitals, industries, and critical infrastructure while positioning Nigeria as West Africa’s primary power hub.
