By Agboola Aluko Olokun, reporting from Lagos, Nigeria
T he Federal Government of Nigeria has cut its electricity supply to the Niger Republic by 42 per cent, reducing its export from 80 megawatts to just 46 megawatts, according to a recent report by AFP quoting Niger’s Energy Minister, Haoua Amadou.
This significant reduction has led to a decline in Niger’s overall electricity production, plunging by as much as 50 per cent in some areas. The situation has forced the country’s state-owned utility company, Nigelec, to impose extended power outages—some lasting several days—especially in the capital, Niamey.
The power cut is a lingering effect of regional sanctions imposed following the July 2023 military coup in Niger that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. As part of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) response to the unconstitutional power grab, Nigeria halted a significant portion of its energy exports to its northern neighbour.
Although ECOWAS has since relaxed some of the sanctions, electricity exports have remained throttled, significantly below pre-coup levels.
“Nigeria has since resumed delivering electricity, but only providing 46 megawatts instead of the usual 80 megawatts,” Minister Amadou stated.
The shortage has pushed Nigeriens to increasingly adopt alternative energy sources, particularly solar. In Niamey, solar panels are now a common sight on rooftops. Residents have noted improved reliability and lower long-term costs with solar energy.
“There are no more power cuts here, and there are no bills to pay; everything works on solar energy,” said Elhadj Abdou, a resident of Lazaret, a suburb in Niamey.
Street vendors have capitalised on the surge in demand, selling solar panels—mostly imported from China—for as low as 50,000 CFA francs (around €75).
Nigeria, which generates most of its electricity from thermal and hydro sources—particularly natural gas—has historically been a major electricity supplier to Niger under bilateral energy agreements.
But the ongoing political crisis and the ECOWAS sanctions have disrupted that relationship, with Nigeria prioritising its national interest and regional diplomatic stance over external energy commitments.
Despite efforts by the Nigerien government to expand local generation capacity, the current supply still falls short of national demand, leaving millions dependent on off-grid solutions like solar.
Agboola Aluko Olokun is reporting from Lagos, Nigeria.
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