{
  "id": 6200118,
  "title": "Benin, Togo owe Nigeria N37bn for electricity services",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/benin-togo-owe-nigeria-n37bn-for-electricity-services",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-08T00:13:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/benin-togo-owe-nigeria-n37bn-for-electricity-services/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nigeria's international electricity customers in Togo and Benin Republic owe $28.33 million (N37.44 billion) in debt for ancillary services provided over the past three years. According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission's annual reports from 2023 to 2025, the debt is for services used to transfer electricity from generation plants to state electricity companies in the respective countries, not for the actual electricity generated. The money belongs to the Market Operator, previously known as Transmission Company of Nigeria. Nigeria has three international customers in Benin, Niger, and Togo, all of whom have accumulated a combined bill of $183.5 million for these services. The countries receive this electricity through their state-owned utility companies - Societe Nigerienne d'electricite (NIGELEC) in Niger, Societe Beninoise d'Energie Electrique (SBEE) in Benin, and Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo (CEET) in Togo. While all three companies have paid $155.17 million towards the $183.5 million debt, they still owe a total of $11.16 million as of 2025. Togo owes 95% of the debt, having paid more than what it was charged, potentially to settle previous unpaid debt. Benin's share of the debt is 5%. The payment for electricity generated for the international customers is settled separately from the administrative slice, which is the focus of the reported debt.",
  "summary": "Nigeria’s international electricity customers of Togo and Benin Republic are owing $28.33m (N37.44bn) debt from ancillary services rendered in 3 years. Analysis of annual reports released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) from 20203 to 2025 showed that the debt is for services used to transfer electricity from the generation plants to usage by […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Nigeria's international customers in Togo and Benin owe N37.44 billion in electricity services debt.",
    "Togo owes 95% of the N37.44 billion, having paid more than charged.",
    "Benin's share of the debt is 5%."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The debt owed by Togo and Benin Republic to Nigeria highlights a significant revenue gap for ancillary electricity services provided to these countries over the past three years.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}