Nigeria has recorded a major milestone in its energy sector with the successful synchronisation of its national electricity grid with the broader West African power network, a first-of-its-kind achievement that paves the way for a unified regional power market and deeper energy cooperation across ECOWAS states.
The landmark test, conducted on Saturday, November 8, 2025, linked Nigeria’s grid along with Niger Republic and parts of Benin and Togo to the rest of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) between 5:04 a.m. and 9:04 a.m. The operation marked the first successful regional synchronisation at a single frequency across participating countries, bringing West Africa a step closer to a fully integrated electricity system that could eventually serve over 400 million people.
The exercise was coordinated by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) in partnership with the WAPP Information and Coordination Centre, the regional control hub responsible for system monitoring and market operations. NISO leadership described the breakthrough as the result of years of technical upgrades, regulatory alignment, and real-time operational testing designed to ensure Nigeria's grid could operate seamlessly with its regional counterparts.
Energy experts say the development could prove transformative for the region. A synchronised grid means countries can share power reserves, stabilise supply during shortages, and benefit from more competitive electricity markets. For Nigeria, it represents an opportunity to improve grid resilience, tap into surplus power from neighbouring countries when needed, and export excess electricity under the emerging West African electricity market framework.
This successful synchronisation test also positions West Africa for a future where power flows freely across borders, allowing economies of scale, lower overall generation costs, and enhanced reliability, especially during peak demand or unexpected system disturbances. It moves the region closer to the vision long promoted by ECOWAS: a single electricity market where infrastructure and energy generation assets are shared for collective benefit.
With this historic step completed, further operational assessments, harmonisation of protection systems, and commercial arrangements are expected in the coming months. But for now, the achievement stands as clear evidence that regional energy integration, once seen as a distant goal is increasingly becoming a reality.
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