By: ESI Africa

A gathering of Nigeria's State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) and key industry players this week addressed critical sector reforms, with a major focus on integrating the national grid into the West African Power Pool (WAPP).

Push for Regional Interconnection

A crucial discussion point was Nigeria’s synchronization into the WAPP. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed the system operator to conduct a trial ahead of a full grid connection to resolve system imperfections and ensure generator compliance. NERC reaffirmed its commitment to meeting the June 2026 deadline for this integration.

This effort is part of a broader regional push. The World Bank reported it has supported WAPP with over 4,000km of high-voltage transmission lines across West Africa, benefiting more than 18 million people. Key projects like the North Core Project are designed to link Nigeria to Niger, Burkina Faso, and Benin, aiming to cut wholesale electricity costs by 40%.

Addressing Domestic Challenges

The forum also tackled domestic priorities, including:

• Market remittance performance and billing efficiency.
• The impact of Nigeria’s new Tax Reform Laws on the sector.
• Challenges in metering, account setup, and governance structures for the new distribution subsidiaries (SubCos).

NERC Vice Chairman Musiliu Oseni urged state regulators to focus on advancing their own electricity markets instead of depending on federal subsidies. He also called on distribution companies (DisCos) to strengthen their relationships with state regulators through open communication, transparency, and mutual respect.

NERC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting stakeholders and ensuring the long-term success of the electricity sector as it transitions to a more efficient and sustainable future.