Togo Seeks Major Electricity Imports from Nigeria to Tackle Chronic Power Shortages
As of mid-March 2026, Togo has intensified high-level negotiations with Nigeria to significantly increase electricity imports, aiming to address one of West Africa’s most persistent energy crises. The landlocked West African nation, heavily reliant on imported power, is seeking to boost its supply from the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and direct bilateral agreements with Nigeria—the region’s largest electricity producer—amid chronic shortages that continue to cripple households, small businesses, and industrial growth.
Togo’s Long-Standing Energy Deficit
Togo’s domestic power generation remains extremely limited. The country has an installed capacity of roughly 250–300 MW, but actual available generation rarely exceeds 150–180 MW due to aging infrastructure, poor maintenance, and dependence on expensive heavy fuel oil and diesel plants. Peak demand is estimated at 350–400 MW and growing rapidly with population increase and urbanization.
This structural deficit has forced Togo to rely on imports for 60–70% of its electricity consumption in recent years, mainly from Côte d’Ivoire (via the Compagnie Ivoirienne d’Électricité) and Ghana (through the Communauté Électrique du Bénin – CEB interconnection). However, both suppliers face their own generation constraints and transmission bottlenecks, frequently leading to load-shedding in Lomé and other major cities.
Average daily power cuts in Togo still range from 6 to 12 hours in many areas, severely hampering economic activity, education, healthcare, and quality of life. Small and medium enterprises—responsible for the majority of private-sector jobs—are particularly affected, with many forced to rely on costly and polluting diesel generators.
Why Nigeria? Strategic Shift in Togo’s Energy Diplomacy
Nigeria, despite its own severe domestic power shortages, remains West Africa’s largest electricity producer, with an installed capacity exceeding 13,000 MW (though available capacity hovers between 4,000–5,500 MW). Through the WAPP and bilateral arrangements, Nigeria already exports modest volumes to Benin, Togo, and Niger via the 330 kV and 161 kV transmission lines.
Recent developments have made Nigeria an increasingly attractive partner for Togo:
- Nigeria’s Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has made incremental improvements in grid stability, especially on the western corridor.
- Several new gas-fired plants and rehabilitated hydropower facilities have marginally increased exportable surplus.
- Political willingness under President Bola Tinubu’s administration to expand regional power trade as part of the “President Tinubu Energy Initiative” and West African integration goals.
- Competitive pricing compared to diesel generation or spot purchases from other neighbors.
Togolese officials, led by the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Société Togolaise de Production d’Électricité (TOGOLEC), are negotiating to increase imports from the current ~30–50 MW to potentially 100–150 MW or more in the medium term. Discussions include:
- Upgrading and reinforcing the 161 kV interconnection line from Nigeria through Benin to Togo.
- Securing long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Nigerian generating companies.
- Exploring wheeling arrangements through Benin’s grid.
- Potential co-financing of transmission reinforcement projects with support from the World Bank, African Development Bank, and WAPP.
Broader Regional Energy Cooperation Dynamics
Togo’s push comes amid renewed momentum in West African power integration:
- The WAPP has made progress on the Nigeria–Benin–Togo–Burkina Faso 330 kV interconnection project.
- Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana are also expanding exports, but their surpluses are increasingly limited.
- The Mano River Union countries (Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea) are developing their own regional grid plans, but these remain years away.
For Nigeria, exporting more power to Togo and Benin helps monetize stranded gas and generation capacity while strengthening diplomatic and economic ties in the sub-region.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the strategic logic, several hurdles remain:
- Nigeria’s domestic grid instability and frequent collapses still limit reliable exports.
- Transmission losses and congestion on existing lines.
- Payment discipline: Togo and Benin have historically faced difficulties paying for large volumes on time.
- Competition: Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire are also seeking to increase or maintain their market share in Togo.
- Financing: Upgrading interconnectors and substations requires hundreds of millions of dollars.
Togolese authorities have signaled willingness to explore innovative financing (public-private partnerships, multilateral loans, guarantees) and pre-payment mechanisms to secure Nigerian supply.
Impact on Togo’s Economy and Citizens
If successful, a substantial increase in Nigerian power imports could dramatically reduce load-shedding, lower electricity tariffs for end-users (compared to diesel), attract new industrial investment, and improve quality of life in urban and peri-urban areas.
The government has already launched parallel efforts to boost domestic generation (solar mini-grids, Lomé combined-cycle expansion, and rural electrification), but imports will remain the fastest bridge to reliable power in the next 3–5 years.
Outlook
As negotiations advance in early 2026, both sides appear motivated to reach agreement. A successful deal could serve as a model for deeper regional power trade in West Africa and help alleviate Togo’s crippling energy poverty.
For now, millions of Togolese continue to endure daily blackouts—hoping that electricity flowing from Nigeria’s grid will finally bring light and opportunity to their homes and businesses.
For ongoing developments, follow updates from Togo’s Ministry of Energy, the West African Power Pool, and regional energy news sources.
By Juba Global News Network | JubaGlobal.com
March 16, 2026
