Mambilla: A power project in coma

The Mambilla Plateau in Nigeria's Taraba State has been at the center of an ambitious hydroelectric project for over five decades. Originally conceived in 1972, the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project was designed to generate approximately 3,050 megawatts of electricity. However, despite significant efforts and an estimated cost of nearly $6 billion, the project remains unfinished.

The plateau's natural wealth, particularly the Donga River, has long been seen as crucial for harnessing hydroelectric power to transform Nigeria's power sector. Yet, the project has been plagued by government promises, contractual disputes, financing challenges, and allegations of corruption. Over the years, various administrations have attempted to revive the project, but it has remained stuck in a cycle of delays and setbacks.

The project faced significant challenges in the 2000s, with a contract signed in 2017 with a Chinese consortium. However, this was followed by a complex contractual dispute that dragged on and diverted attention from the physical construction. Despite the $5.792 billion estimated cost and a proposed financing structure, no functioning hydroelectric plant has been built on the main project site. Abandoned facilities and deteriorating buildings on the plateau serve as stark reminders of the project's prolonged inactivity.