With the recent hike in electricity tariff in nigeria, many users now scramble for cheap/affordable platforms where they can buy electricity online in Nigeria without having to break the bank.

Well, here is the good news. If you are looking for a trusted platform in which you can buy electricity in Nigeria on a budget, I have lined up a list of affordable platforms ranked from 1 to 4, in which you can buy electricity online. 

Overall best platform to buy electricity online – Buypower

BuyPower has been a pillar when it comes to selling electricity units in Nigeria established in 2016 to solve the problem of buying electricity outside business hours Buypower has grown significantly.

So, why should you buy electricity online from Buy Power?

1. Cheap and affordable units: BuyPower tends to offer you value for your money when purchasing units online. 
2. Fast vending process: I have experienced slow or failed transactions when buying power, most especially with bank apps. BuyPower tends to close that gap as its vending process is very fast and reliable. 
3. Very responsive and fast app: the BuyPower platform is very fast and responsive. BuyPower has its iOS and Android platforms, and my experience on both apps is superb.
4. Superb customer care response time: Should the case you have any issues buying electricity unit, you have a customer care representative you could easily talk to to get your situation fixed. 
5. Easy payment options: you could easily pay with your card or a simple bank transfer 

Aditional features 

1. Website and app cross-platform 
2. Meter verification service 
3. Airtime and date services 
4. Cable TV services 

First runner up: An affordable alternative – IRechage

IRecharge is a platform that focuses mostly on selling utility services online, Buypower, which was mostly integrated to sell electricity units. Established in 2018, Irecharge has bridged the gap in utility payments, both for end users and merchants who are willing to go into the business of selling utility services as a merchant.

So why should you use Irecharge? 

1. Universal-based utility services: Irecharge tends to enable individuals to have flexibility when using their platform, as they offer general utility services 
2. A fast and responsive app: The iRecharge app is very fast and responsive and offers a user-friendly platform.
3. Very responsive customer care: Should incase you have an issue with the app or website, you have a very active customer care service to respond to your every complaint 
4. USSD services: iRecharge offers USSD services, which enable users to buy utility services even when they are out of internet connection or data 
5. Easy payment platforms: Irecharge provides its users with an easy payment gateway, which includes payment via card, USSD, bank transfer, etc. 

Additional features 

1. Website and app cross-platform 
2. Universal utility payment platform 
3. Insurance providing services 
4. Merchant and corporate services 

Second runner up: Fastest token generation – Metertoken 

Metertoken is another big player when it comes to buying electricity online. After its establishment in 2020, a time when buying electricity tokens was difficult because of the pandemic, metertoken saw a gap and decided to act upon it, bridging the gap of buying electricity outside business hours. 

So why should I use Metertoken?

 

1. Very fast vending process: When buying electricity tokens from Metertoken, the vending process is very fast and reliable. Generating a token usually takes about a minute to complete, which puts it as a top electricity buying platform. 
2. Simple and user-friendly platform: The app and website of metertoken can be easily navigated and support a cross-platform system 
3. Reliable payment platforms: Metrtoken offers an easy and stress-free payment method on its platform, which includes Card payments, USSD, and bank transfer 
4. Very fair prices: Meter tokens tend to close a gap between high-value merchants, enabling their users to get more token value 

Additional feature 

1. Website and app cross-platform 
2. Fast and reliable vending 
3. Water and other utility payments 

Third runner up: Using banks and fintech apps like OPay 

Banks in Nigeria tend to sell electricity online through their mobile app platforms or USSD platforms, but generally not reliable, as I have not had good experiences with them. But some banks stand out here, banks like OPay and palmpay, which are generally fintechs, tend to do great, but old traditional banks don’t do too well when vending electricity tokens. 

So why should you use Banks? 

1. Available cash: when using banks to buy electricity online, you don’t have to go through and funds transfer or card payments, it’s just a direct purchase 
2. Fast and reliable vending: If you use banks like OPay and palmpay, the vending process is usually very fast and reliable 
3. Adequate customer care representative: Banks usually have customer care on standby 24/7, providing adequate customer representation than most electricity selling platforms. Online 
4. USSD payment options: Banks usually have USSD platforms that enable users to have  access to buy electricity even without an internet connection 

Additional features 

1. Ussd enabled services 
2. Fast and reliable vending 
3. Universal utility payment options 
4. A more secure platform 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. Is buying electricity online safe? Yes, it is very safe and reliable, as most platforms have made their platforms safe and secure for their users.
2. How do I load my prepaid meter after buying the electricity online? After payment, you will be provided with a code that you will input into your prepaid meter. This code is to be used only once and for a specific meter, so even if you use a code for a different meter, it won’t work. 
3. How fast will my code be delivered? After payment, your code is delivered immediately, either via text or on the platform. 

To conclude 

Buying electricity online is a very safe and reliable form of paying your electricity bills, which involves little or no stress. 

We would keep an eye out for more platforms that sell electricity online, and also make sure to keep you updated on changes to the electricity sector in Nigeria.