West African governments are moving quickly to create a fully integrated electricity market after a landmark grid synchronisation exercise proved the region can operate as a single power system. But policymakers warn that without major investment, regulatory alignment and expanded transmission capacity, the benefits of such a market will remain out of reach.
The four-hour trial, conducted on November 10, 2025 by the West African Power Pool (WAPP), linked 15 national grids through the Sakete substation in Benin, the first time the region’s network had functioned as one system. Officials praised it as a breakthrough that could lead to more reliable power supply, lower generation costs and large-scale cross-border electricity trading.
“It shows what regional cooperation can achieve when countries align their technical and operational frameworks,” said Charles Ndiaye, Council Member at the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), during the West Africa Energy Conference in Accra. Despite the breakthrough, experts warned that West Africa is still years away from a fully functional commercial market.
Regulators say work is underway to strengthen governance. ERERA has approved a 580-page market rulebook to harmonise operating standards, trading procedures and oversight across the bloc. A transmission tariff methodology is also being finalised to ensure utilities are fairly compensated when power crosses borders.
However, infrastructure remains one of the region’s weakest links. Many cross-border transmission lines operate below capacity, while major corridors in Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso require urgent reinforcement. Energy planners argue that without a solid financing strategy backed by both public and private investors, technical progress will not translate into meaningful commercial trade.
Industry players stress the need for predictable tariffs, transparent settlement systems and coordinated regional planning to attract long-term capital. Independent power producers say harmonised rules will reduce commercial risks and encourage cross-border supply.
Even with these challenges, officials say the synchronisation trial has shifted expectations and opened the door to deeper regional cooperation. They believe West Africa is entering a decisive phase where political commitment, investment choices and strong regulatory frameworks will determine whether the region can build a stable, interconnected and equitable electricity market capable of supporting broader economic integration.
Transmission emerges as West Africa’s biggest energy bottleneck
