The ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization, Aminu Amidu Sulemana, has called for stronger and independent regional energy institutions to attract private sector investment and address persistent financing challenges in West Africa’s electricity sector.
Speaking at the opening of the 16th Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers Responsible for Energy in Accra, Mr. Sulemana warned that inadequate financing continues to undermine efforts to expand electricity generation, improve access and accelerate renewable energy development across the subregion.
He noted that investors require credible institutions capable of operating independently without undue government interference, stressing that institutional autonomy is essential to building confidence in the regional electricity market.
The Commissioner identified insufficient generation capacity, high electricity losses and limited rural electrification as major challenges confronting the region, despite its considerable energy resources.
He disclosed that ECOWAS Energy Ministers were considering two key regional instruments aimed at addressing some of these challenges.
The first is a directive on Battery Energy Storage Systems and related storage technologies, intended to establish harmonised regulations, encourage private investment and improve electricity grid stability.
The second involves amendments to the regulations governing the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market to strengthen the operational and oversight capacities of key institutions, including the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and the System Market Operator (SMO).
Mr. Sulemana explained that the proposed instruments had undergone extensive technical consultations, including a review by energy experts from member states in Accra on October 20 and 21, 2026.
He expressed confidence that their adoption would strengthen renewable energy development, improve institutional effectiveness and advance the establishment of a functional and sustainable regional electricity market.
