Benin and Togo push for energy independence with joint hydroelectric project

Persistent reliance on external suppliers has pushed Cotonou and Lomé toward deeper political cooperation. With industrial zones in both nations demanding reliable power, the two countries are pooling resources to establish a robust, self-sufficient electricity network.

On April 23, a fire at Ghana’s Akosombo substation abruptly cut off 1,000 megawatts from the regional grid, halting electricity exports to Togo and Benin the following day. The disruption underscored a harsh truth: during shortages, nations prioritize domestic needs over cross-border commitments.

Earlier in 2024, disruptions in the West African Gas Pipeline forced Togo to allocate 31 billion West African CFA francs to offset the shortfall in Nigerian gas supplies. These recurring vulnerabilities expose the flaws of the Benin Electricity Community (CEB), established in 1968 but limited to transmission without any independent generation capacity.

adjarala dam: a game-changing energy solution

The shift from technical challenges to political urgency has led to the historic Adjarala hydroelectric dam project on the Mono River. With an estimated cost of 266 billion West African CFA francs and a 147-megawatt capacity, the dam promises three decades of predictable electricity while irrigating 14,700 hectares of farmland in Togo. This initiative is critical for sustaining the industrial momentum in both countries. Benin’s Glo-Djigbé Special Economic Zone, a 1 billion U.S. dollar investment in cotton and cashew processing, and Togo’s Adétikopé Industrial Zone can no longer depend on neighbors’ energy goodwill. A unified market and infrastructure could strengthen their negotiating power with investors.

tapping into local savings to fund energy independence

As global lenders retreat from fossil fuel financing, both nations are rethinking their funding models. They are mobilizing long-term domestic savings by engaging National Social Security Funds (CNSS) and insurance companies, which hold substantial reserves currently invested in short-term government bonds. Issuing joint energy bonds, backed by both governments, could unlock these social savings as a powerful lever for regional infrastructure development, experts suggest.

a landmark political alignment

The official state visit by Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni to Lomé on June 3, 2026, signals a pivotal moment. A joint statement lays the groundwork for stronger economic ties and interconnected infrastructure. The leaders’ shared vision includes Benin’s plan to inject 100 megawatts every two years into the grid and Togo’s goal of achieving universal electricity access by 2030. This political alignment presents an unprecedented opportunity to finally achieve energy autonomy for both nations.