Ghana Plans Electricity Supply to Nigeria, Targets West Africa Energy Hub

Ghana is positioning itself to become a major electricity supplier to Nigeria and the wider West African region. Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, said Ghana is willing to begin supplying electricity to Nigeria as part of a regional energy cooperation push.

Existing Grid Links and Export Ambitions

Ghana already has cross-border electricity arrangements with Togo, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso through the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo). The country's transmission network is physically interconnected with these neighbours, allowing electricity to flow across borders.

Speaking at a public event on August 21, 2026, Jinapor said Ghana's ambition was to develop sufficient generation and transmission capacity to meet domestic needs while supplying power to other West African countries.

"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 said.

What Nigeria's Inclusion Means

Nigeria would represent a significant addition to Ghana's electricity export market because of its large population and substantial demand for reliable power. However, Jinapor acknowledged that supplying Nigeria on a meaningful scale would require major investments in transmission infrastructure.

The proposed expansion would need to accommodate the volume of electricity involved in cross-border trade while ensuring Ghana can continue meeting its own domestic demand. For Nigeria, additional regional power sources could complement its efforts to increase electricity supply as businesses, industries and households demand more reliable energy.

Gas, Renewables and Nuclear in Ghana's Mix

Ghana's regional electricity ambitions are tied to a broader plan to diversify its energy mix. According to Jinapor, the country intends to combine natural gas, renewable energy and nuclear power to strengthen generation and improve reliability.

The strategy is also expected to support President John Dramani Mahama's 24-Hour Economy initiative, which seeks to encourage businesses and industries to operate for longer hours. Jinapor said dependable electricity would be essential to sustaining increased industrial and commercial activity under the programme.

Nigeria Explores Cassava Wastewater for Biogas

While Ghana looks to expand electricity exports, Nigeria is also exploring unconventional ways to increase energy resources. One emerging option is the conversion of cassava wastewater into biogas.

Cassava effluent is often discharged around processing centres without adequate treatment, creating environmental risks for streams and other water bodies. However, the biodegradable material in the wastewater can potentially be converted into renewable energy.

Prof. Taiwo Hammed, Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Technical Director of the Renewable Resources Centre at the University of Ibadan, said cassava wastewater could serve as feedstock for biogas production when properly managed.

Speaking at a U.S.-Nigeria Transdisciplinary Workshop titled "From Cassava Effluent to Energy" at the University of Ibadan, Hammed explained that efficiency would depend on factors including the type and quantity of feedstock, retention time, temperature and nutrient balance required by microorganisms to break down the organic material.

What It Means for Nigeria

For Nigeria, a new regional power source from Ghana could help ease chronic supply shortfalls. But as the minister noted, any meaningful electricity trade will require heavy investment in transmission infrastructure. That reality, plus Nigeria's own generation push, will determine how quickly imported power becomes a reliable addition to the national grid.