Unpaid Debts from Neighboring Countries Harm Nigeria's Energy Sector, Says Regulator

Energy

Friday, 23 August 2024 16:37

Unpaid Debts from Neighboring Countries Harm Nigeria's Energy Sector, Says Regulator

(Togo First) - Nigeria's electricity regulator, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has expressed frustration over unpaid debts from Niger, Benin, and Togo, which together owe $14.19 million for electricity supplied in the first quarter of 2024.

In a recent report, NERC criticized foreign electricity companies, particularly Société Béninoise d'Énergie Électrique (SBEE) in Benin and Compagnie Énergie Électrique du Togo (CEET), for not making due payments. Benin owes $3.15 million for the Para-SBEE partnership and $4.46 million for Transcorp-SBEE. Niger owes $1.21 million for Mainstream-NIGELEC, while Togo has a debt of $5.36 million for electricity from the Odukpani power plant.

NERC noted that none of these companies have paid their invoices issued by the Market Operator, which is part of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). This situation follows a previous report of $51.26 million in payment arrears for electricity exported in 2023.

The regulator warned that these unpaid debts are harming the Nigerian energy sector and urged the Market Operator to enforce market rules to address this "financial indiscipline."

Last May, the Federal Government also expressed concern about the growing arrears from international electricity consumers, stating that these delays are affecting Nigeria's ability to maintain stable energy production.

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.