To meet growing power demand

Togo is exploring plans to increase electricity imports from Nigeria’s Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) as the West African country seeks to meet rising energy demand and extend stable power supply to newly connected consumers.

The proposal was discussed during a strategic meeting between the management of NDPHC and a delegation from Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo (CEET), the country’s national electricity utility.

According to a statement from NDPHC, the Togolese delegation was led by the organisation’s Director-General, Débo-K’mba Barandao, who visited the company to strengthen existing collaboration and explore opportunities for expanding cross-border electricity trade.

CEET, headquartered in Lomé, currently purchases about 75 megawatt-hours of electricity from NDPHC through a bilateral arrangement. Officials say the supply has played a key role in maintaining stable electricity distribution in Togo and supporting economic activities across the country.

The imported electricity helps provide households, businesses and public institutions with reliable and affordable power.

During the meeting, Barandao commended NDPHC for the consistency of its electricity delivery, noting that the partnership has significantly improved power reliability within Togo’s national grid.

He described the relationship between both organisations as mutually beneficial, adding that it has strengthened regional energy cooperation across West Africa.

Barandao explained that electricity demand in Togo has increased in recent months following the connection of new customers, including industrial and commercial users. At the same time, the government is intensifying efforts to expand electricity access nationwide.

In response, CEET expressed strong interest in increasing the volume of electricity it receives from NDPHC to support its national power expansion plans and ensure reliable supply to newly connected consumers.

The utility company also noted that strengthening electricity trade with Nigeria forms a key component of Togo’s broader strategy to secure diversified and dependable power sources for its national grid.

Responding, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDPHC, Jennifer Adighije, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to deepening cooperation with CEET and supporting electricity exports to neighbouring countries.

Adighije noted that NDPHC, which operates several power plants across Nigeria under the National Integrated Power Project, has the capacity to support regional electricity supply and remains committed to promoting energy integration within West Africa.

She added that the partnership aligns with broader regional initiatives aimed at boosting electricity trade among member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and improving power availability across the sub-region.

While expressing readiness to increase electricity exports to Togo, Adighije emphasised the need for strong and sustainable commercial frameworks to guide future transactions between the two organisations.

According to her, credible financial guarantees and structured payment systems are essential to minimise payment risks often associated with cross-border electricity supply and ensure the long-term viability of the partnership.

She noted that a dependable payment structure would protect NDPHC’s commercial interests while enabling the company to continue supporting regional energy stability through electricity exports.

Both parties described the meeting as productive and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the electricity sector. They also agreed to continue engagements aimed at developing workable frameworks for expanding electricity supply from Nigeria to Togo.

If implemented, the proposed increase in electricity imports could further deepen energy cooperation between the two countries while supporting improved electricity access and economic development across the West African region.