RavaPay electricity guide

Prepaid vs Postpaid Electricity Meter in Nigeria: What Is the Difference?

Prepaid and postpaid electricity customers pay for electricity differently. Knowing which account type you have matters because the checkout information and the result you expect after payment are not the same.

Published 25 September 2026 · RavaPay

How prepaid electricity works

With a prepaid meter, electricity credit is purchased before it is consumed. After a successful vend, a token or equivalent credit instruction is issued for the verified meter and the meter balance is updated when the credit is successfully loaded.

How postpaid electricity works

With a postpaid account, electricity usage is billed and the customer pays against the electricity account or bill. A postpaid payment does not normally produce a prepaid energy token because the payment is applied to the billed account.

Prepaid and postpaid at a glance

  • Prepaid: buy electricity credit before use and expect a token or meter-credit result after a successful vend.

  • Postpaid: pay an electricity bill or account balance after billing and expect payment confirmation rather than a prepaid token.

  • Both: select the correct DISCO and verify the meter or account information before completing payment.

Which option should you select on RavaPay?

Select the account type registered with your DISCO. If you are unsure whether the property is prepaid or postpaid, check the meter or electricity bill and confirm with the DISCO before paying.