NEWS
Ghana Eyes Nigeria as Next Electricity Export Market in Ambitious West African Energy Push
…as Ghana Moves To Supply Electricity To Nigeria, To Become Africa’s Energy Hub
Ghana is positioning itself for a major expansion of its influence in West Africa’s energy sector, with plans that could see the country begin supplying electricity to Nigeria as part of a broader ambition to become a major regional energy hub.
The move was outlined by Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, who said the country is working towards building sufficient electricity generation and transmission capacity not only to meet its domestic needs but also to supply power to neighbouring countries across the West African sub-region.
Ghana already exports electricity to Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, making Nigeria the next potentially significant addition to its growing list of power markets.
According to a report published on August 21, 2026, Ghana’s long-term energy strategy is built around a diverse mix of natural gas, renewable energy and nuclear power. The plan is also closely linked to President John Dramani Mahama’s 24-Hour Economy initiative, which seeks to create an environment where businesses, industries and commercial activities can operate beyond the traditional working day.
Nigeria Emerges as a Major Target Market:-
Nigeria represents a particularly ambitious target for Ghana’s electricity export plans. With a population of more than 200 million people and one of the largest economies and electricity markets in Africa, Nigeria presents a potentially massive opportunity for cross-border energy trade.
Ghana’s existing electricity exports are facilitated through the Ghana Grid Company, GRIDCo, whose transmission infrastructure is physically interconnected with several neighbouring countries.
However, extending electricity exports to Nigeria would require a much broader expansion of transmission infrastructure because of the distance involved and the potentially enormous volume of power that could be traded.
Dr Jinapor acknowledged the scale of the task but maintained that Ghana’s long-term vision is to develop the capacity required to serve markets across the region.
Speaking during a public event on August 21, 2026, the minister said Ghana’s ambitions go far beyond simply generating enough electricity for local consumption.
“So clearly, this falls in line with our vision, and we believe that if we can achieve this, Ghana can become an energy hub for the whole of the West African region in the shortest possible time,” he added.
The statement underscores Ghana’s determination to transform its energy sector into one capable of supporting regional economies while strengthening cross-border electricity cooperation.
Nuclear Power, Gas and Renewables for a 24-Hour Economy:-
Beyond electricity exports, Ghana is pursuing a long-term strategy aimed at ensuring a stable and reliable power supply for its own rapidly evolving economy.
The country’s proposed energy mix combines natural gas, renewable sources and nuclear power, with each expected to play a role in delivering the consistent electricity required to sustain industries and businesses operating for longer hours.
The strategy is considered crucial to President Mahama’s 24-Hour Economy initiative, which is designed to encourage increased economic activity around the clock rather than limiting major commercial and industrial operations to conventional daytime schedules.
For such an economy to function effectively, businesses would require dependable electricity capable of powering factories, transportation systems, technology infrastructure and other essential services throughout the day and night.
Jinapor said nuclear power, alongside gas and renewable energy, could provide the level of reliability needed to sustain industrial activity on such a large scale.
If successfully implemented, the plan could place Ghana in a stronger position not only to power its own economy but also to emerge as a strategic supplier of electricity to countries facing growing energy demands across West Africa.
Nigeria Also Explores New Sources of Energy:-
While Ghana looks towards expanding electricity exports, Nigeria is also exploring alternative and innovative ways of meeting its growing energy needs.
One of the options being considered is the conversion of cassava wastewater into biogas, a process that could turn an environmental challenge into a source of renewable energy.
Cassava processing produces large quantities of wastewater, also known as cassava effluent, which is often discharged around processing centres without adequate treatment. This can contaminate nearby streams and other water bodies, creating serious environmental concerns.
However, experts believe that the biodegradable components in the wastewater can be harnessed to produce biogas when properly processed.
The approach could help Nigeria simultaneously address waste management challenges, reduce environmental pollution and create an additional source of renewable energy.
An Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Technical Director of the Renewable Resources Centre at the University of Ibadan, Prof. Taiwo Hammed, explained the potential of the process during a U.S.-Nigeria Transdisciplinary Workshop themed From Cassava Effluent to Energy at the University of Ibadan.
He explained that cassava wastewater could serve as feedstock for biogas production when properly managed.
According to him, the effectiveness of the process depends on several important factors, including the type and quantity of feedstock, retention time, temperature and the proper balance of nutrients required by microorganisms to break down organic matter.
As Ghana pursues its ambition of becoming a regional electricity powerhouse and Nigeria searches for innovative ways to expand its energy sources, the two countries could be moving towards a new phase in West Africa’s energy development.
For Ghana, Nigeria represents a potentially enormous market and a key step towards its dream of becoming a major energy hub. For Nigeria, whose electricity demand continues to grow alongside its population and economy, the exploration of new energy partnerships and alternative sources could become increasingly important in the years ahead.