Bénin and Togo forge new energy alliance to end power dependency

Persistent disruptions from external energy suppliers have pushed Benin and Togo into a new era of cooperation. Faced with chronic shortages and sudden blackouts, the two nations are joining forces to break free from reliance on foreign power grids and secure their industrial growth.

Last April’s catastrophic fire at Ghana’s Akosombo substation cut off 1,000 megawatts from the regional grid, forcing an immediate halt to electricity exports to Benin and Togo. The incident exposed a harsh truth: during crises, every country prioritizes its own needs first. Earlier in 2024, failures in the West African Gas Pipeline left Togo scrambling to release 31 billion CFA francs in emergency funding after Nigeria failed to deliver promised gas supplies. These repeated shocks underscore a deeper structural weakness—the Benin Electricity Community (CEB), founded in 1968, has functioned only as a transit route without any real power generation capacity of its own.

Adjarala Dam: a game-changing power solution

The time for technical fixes has passed; what’s needed now is decisive political action. The solution lies in the Adjarala Dam project on the Mono River. With a price tag of 266 billion CFA francs and a capacity of 147 megawatts, this dam promises three decades of reliable electricity while also irrigating 14,700 hectares of farmland in Togo. For both nations, this investment is a lifeline to sustain industrial expansion. The huge economic zones—Glo-Djigbé in Benin, backed by over $1 billion for local processing of cotton and cashew, and Adétikopé in Togo—can no longer afford to depend on the unpredictable energy goodwill of their neighbors. A unified power market offers them the leverage they need to attract serious investors.

Leveraging local savings to fund energy independence

As international lenders withdraw from fossil fuel projects, Benin and Togo are turning inward. They are tapping into domestic savings pools—particularly from National Social Security Funds (CNSS) and insurance companies, which hold massive reserves currently invested in short-term government bonds. By issuing joint energy bonds backed by both governments, these funds could be redirected into long-term infrastructure development, creating a powerful engine for regional growth.

Political alignment paves the way for energy sovereignty

A landmark state visit by Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni to Lomé on June 3, 2026, signals a turning point. The joint statement lays the groundwork for deepened economic and infrastructure ties. Both leaders are aligned on bold targets: Benin plans to add 100 megawatts to the shared grid every two years, while Togo aims to achieve universal electricity access by 2030. This rare political alignment presents a historic chance to finally achieve true energy self-reliance for both nations.