H

THE PROJECT HERALD
The Intelligence Ledger of
Projects, Capital, Companies and Policy

Mambilla Hydropower Project — 3,050MW Nigeria

Country
Nigeria
Sector
Energy
Intelligence Type
Project
Status / Stage
Proposed
Estimated Value
USD Billion 5.8
Confidence
Reported

Nigeria’s largest planned hydroelectric project — 3,050MW across four dams on the Donga River in Taraba State — has been under development since the 1970s and awarded to Chinese contractors in 2007 but has never broken ground. The $5.8bn project is being actively promoted by President Tinubu’s administration in 2026 as a cornerstone of the Electricity Act implementation. Targeting 4.7 billion kWh annually.

Project Details

Project TypeHydropower — 4 dams, 2 underground powerhouses, 12 turbine units
Project OwnerFederal Government of Nigeria / Federal Ministry of Power
Financing InstitutionChinese state financing (Sinohydro/CNEEC — renegotiation underway)
Expected Completion2030 (no construction start confirmed)
Current PhaseConcept
Funding StatusUnfunded

Key Issues / Risks

Stalled repeatedly since 1970s. Original 2007 contractor award never executed. Land acquisition and resettlement unresolved.

Latest Development (Detail)

Tinubu administration identified Mambilla as a 2026 priority. No confirmed EPC contract or groundbreaking as of August 2026.

What Happens Next

New EPC contract and financing close — the two events confirming this is moving.

Commercial Opportunity

At 3,050MW — the largest single power project ever in Nigeria — procurement would be enormous across civil, mechanical, electrical and transmission.

Stakeholder Intelligence

Key Organizations / Companies InvolvedSinohydro Corporation; CNEEC; NERC; TCN

Commercial Opportunity Intelligence

Commercial ReadinessVery Early

Analyst Notes

Watch record — long history of stalling. Confidence rated Reported.

Source & Verification Trail

Last VerifiedAugust 2026
Source(s)Energypedia; ESI-Africa; Businessday NG power reviews 2025-2026
Source Date2025–2026