By Stella Odueme
The West African Power Pool (WAPP) at its 19th Session of its General Assembly in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire focused on advancing a competitive regional electricity market.
The session with the theme “Advancing the Regional Electricity Market: Overcoming Barriers and Building a Resilient Competitive Power Market” was presided over by Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly, Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy, Côte d’Ivoire.
In his opening remarks, the Minister emphasized that access to electricity is a fundamental right and a vital necessity. Highlighting the scale of resources required to meet growing regional electricity demands, he called for collaborative efforts across ECOWAS member states, stating, “We must work together, pooling our financial and natural resources to make it work.”
A statement by Ndidi Mbah, General manage, Public Affairs at the weekend said that Mr. Coulibaly stressed the importance of cross-border cooperation, describing energy as a resource that transcends barriers.
He commended WAPP for its vital role in promoting regional integration and reaffirmed Côte d’Ivoire’s commitment to advancing energy production and sharing to support the ECOWAS community’s growing electricity needs.
Speaking at the event, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization, Mr. Sediko Douka, provided an overview of ongoing efforts to enhance the electricity sector.
He underscored the importance of robust institutional and regulatory frameworks, infrastructure development, and improved energy access.
He noted that challenges such as the demand-supply deficit and low electricity access remain critical barriers to the sector’s progress.
Mr. Douka commended the progress made through the ECOWAS Master Plans for Electricity Generation and Transmission, highlighting the successful interconnection of 14 out of 15 ECOWAS countries and the near-completion of network synchronization.
These efforts, he noted, are pivotal in establishing a reliable and cost-effective energy supply.
He also announced that final approvals for the WAPP Network Code and the Methodology for Regional Transmission Tariffs are expected by the end of the year, laying the foundation for the second phase of the regional electricity market.
Addressing the Assembly, the Chairman of WAPP, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, reaffirmed the commitment of member utilities to the organization’s vision.
He announced the appointment of Mr. Abdoulaye Dia from Senegal as the new Secretary General, beginning a three-year renewable term, and also welcomed eight new power utility members to the General Assembly.
Abdulaziz underscored the critical role of WAPP in fostering regional energy security, highlighting the advancements in interconnection and synchronization efforts, bringing the region closer to a fully integrated electricity market.
He further highlighted ongoing projects such as the development of additional cross-border transmission lines and initiatives aimed at enhancing the resilience of the electricity grid.
Abdulaziz stressed that the realization of WAPP’s goals requires a united front among member states, utilities, and partners, calling for continued collaboration to address emerging challenges and unlock the full potential of the regional electricity market.
Earlier, Acting Secretary General of the WAPP, Engr. Nazif Abdukadir, presented key achievements, including the operationalization of the Regional Market Information and Coordination Center (ICC) and the commissioning of the CLSG and OMVG transmission lines, which now interconnect all 14 mainland ECOWAS countries.
He also highlighted the successful pilot phase of the Regional Electricity Market and ongoing preparations for the second phase, which will integrate financial transactions and settlement systems.
Meanwhile, the representative of the Technical and Financial Partners of WAPP, Mrs. Clara Winkler-Tomety, the Deputy Director of KfW in Abidjan, acknowledged the region’s challenges in establishing a competitive electricity market.
She emphasized the importance of adopting environmentally sustainable strategies and commended WAPP for laying a strong foundation for regional energy integration and emphasized the collective commitment of WAPP’s Technical and Financial Partners to continue their partnership with WAPP.
Earlier in the week, the General Assembly was preceded by meetings of the WAPP Organizational Committees of experts from member countries and member utilities. The Chairman of Strategic Planning & Environmental Committee who also chaired the session of the Joint Committees’ meeting, Engr. Kabiru M. Adamu, GM (System Planning & Development) – TCN, noted that the robust engagement and the constructive dialogue during the meetings underscored the strength of collaboration and shared determination of the committees’ members to advance the mission of WAPP. He further expressed confidence that the resolutions and recommendations from the meeting will contribute to the realization of an integrated, reliable and sustainable regional electricity grid.
As WAPP advances toward a unified electricity market, sustained collaboration remains essential. It is crucial for all participating utilities to align their regulatory frameworks and adopt innovative approaches to ensure reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for the ECOWAS region.
