#electricity

According to Legit.ng, Togo, Benin Republic, and Niger collectively owe Nigeria N17.45 billion in electricity debt. This situation exacerbates the financial challenges faced by these countries, while data indicates that domestic customers in Nigeria tend to pay their electricity bills more reliably.

More households in Emulusio Village, Kisa Central Ward, Khwisero sub-county, Kakamega county are set to be connected to electricity under the Last-Mile Electricity Connectivity Programme. This initiative aims to boost economic activities and improve livelihoods in the area. Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka spoke about the project's potential to expand access to electricity during an inspection on Friday.

A new pumped storage hydropower project in northern Morocco has received a USD 265 million investment from the World Bank Group. This initiative aims to provide reliable and affordable electricity, enhance the resilience of the national grid, and create job opportunities.

TANESCO, the Tanzania Electric Supply Company, is encouraging citizens to visit its booth at the 50th International Trade Fair in Dar es Salaam, known as Sabasaba, to explore various modern technologies aimed at enhancing electricity usage safely, efficiently, and affordably. Irene Gowele, TANESCO's Director of Communications and Customer Services, highlighted the innovative aspects of this year's exhibition during a press conference at the Julius Nyerere grounds.

The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Dr Abba Aliyu, stated that mini-grids have evolved from simple rural electrification projects into a commercially viable model for electricity delivery in Nigeria. This shift is expected to help de-risk the country's power sector and attract significant private investment, as reported by Vanguard.

Nigerian Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) experienced a loss of over 1.13 million customers in 2025, attributed to unreliable power supply and increasing energy costs, according to Punch.

Nigeria's Federal Government is set to spend N358 billion on electricity subsidies in the first quarter of 2026, even as the country continues to experience persistent blackouts. This expenditure occurs while electricity tariffs remain frozen, according to Punch.

According to Moneyweb, recent electricity price hikes are significantly impacting families, pushing them further into financial difficulties. The focus has shifted from issues of load shedding to the increasing costs of electricity, which are becoming unaffordable for many households.

The government has allocated Sh1.8 billion for the 2026/27 Financial Year to enhance electricity connectivity in Kericho County, benefiting approximately 17,500 households through the rural electrification programme. This announcement was made during the launch of the Kenya Power Last Mile Connectivity Programme (LMCP) projects in Soin/Sigowet Constituency.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced a scheduled preventive maintenance at its Katampe 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Abuja, which will result in power outages in the area. The company has provided details regarding the maintenance schedule and its expected impact on electricity supply.

The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has urged the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, to turn recent promises regarding electricity sector reforms into tangible improvements in power supply. The organization emphasized that ongoing electricity failures are negatively impacting jobs and investments in Nigeria, stating that the economic consequences are no longer sustainable for the populace.

South Africa is transitioning from coal-fired electricity, which currently accounts for 74% of its power, to renewable sources like wind and solar. This shift is complicated and is being hindered by the need for a different electricity system and new grid management strategies. Additionally, significant changes are required at Eskom, the state-owned utility that has historically dominated the power sector.

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), in collaboration with the European Union and the German Government, inaugurated a 504kW interconnected mini-grid in Epe on Wednesday. This development comes after years of power outages in the community due to equipment vandalism, marking a significant step towards restoring electricity access for residents.

Nigeria's electricity sector may encounter increased supply challenges due to drought conditions induced by El Niño, which threaten hydropower generation throughout West Africa, according to BMI.

The Federal Government of Nigeria claims it is addressing the electricity sector's debt, stating it has reached approximately N4 trillion. However, Generation Companies (GENCOs) dispute this figure, asserting that the actual debt is N7 trillion and that no payments have been made. This ongoing disagreement highlights the tensions between the government and GENCOs regarding the financial status of the power sector.

Despite a reduction in load shedding and fewer power cuts in South Africa, electricity bills are increasing. This rise in costs is attributed to significant tariff increases approved by the National Energy Regulator, leading to confusion among consumers about why prices are climbing when the power supply is more stable.

The City of Johannesburg has secured a loan of R3.8 billion aimed at addressing its electricity issues. The funds will be used to tackle the backlog in maintenance and major capital works, which is expected to take time to resolve.

Lagos State has established the Independent System Operator (LAISO) to oversee the state's electricity market and enhance the reliability of power supply, as part of its new Electr initiative. This move aims to improve the management of electricity distribution in the region.

The World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have successfully connected over 50 million people to electricity through their Mission 300 initiative, which spans 40 African countries. This effort aims to accelerate electricity access across the continent.

A global report released by the WHO and partners indicates that over 655 million people worldwide lack access to electricity, while nearly two billion depend on polluting fuels for cooking. This situation poses significant health risks and exacerbates existing inequalities, highlighting a potential global energy and health crisis.