West Africa must accelerate regional power grid interconnection and harmonise energy regulations to expand electricity access and advance its energy transition, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament said this week.
Memounatou Ibrahima, who heads the parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), outlined the bloc’s priorities at the 16th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), held in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking at IRENA’s Legislators and Regulators Forum, Ibrahima highlighted a persistent gap between the region’s abundant renewable energy potential and limited access to electricity, noting that nearly 43% of West Africa’s population still lacks power.
She said bridging this divide would require stronger regional cooperation, particularly through the interconnection of national electricity grids under the West African Power Pool (WAPP), the harmonisation of regulatory frameworks and the adoption of a coherent regional renewable energy policy.
“Despite significant renewable resources, access to electricity remains uneven across the region,” Ibrahima said, adding that fragmented infrastructure and inconsistent regulations continue to constrain investment and slow progress toward universal access.
Regional integration push
The West African Power Pool, established to integrate national power systems into a unified regional electricity market, has long been seen as a cornerstone of ECOWAS energy strategy. However, progress has been uneven, with cross-border transmission projects facing delays linked to financing, technical challenges and political coordination.
Ibrahima said deeper grid interconnection would allow countries to share surplus power, reduce costs and improve reliability, while helping renewable energy projects achieve scale.
She also called for greater regulatory alignment across member states, arguing that inconsistent rules, tariffs and licensing requirements discourage private investment in energy infrastructure.
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According to ECOWAS targets, renewables are expected to account for 48% of the region’s energy mix by 2030. Officials say achieving that goal would strengthen energy security, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and make the region more attractive to investors seeking long-term, sustainable projects.
West Africa has significant untapped renewable resources, including solar, wind, hydroelectric and biomass potential. Yet many countries continue to rely heavily on diesel generators and ageing thermal plants, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas.
Legislative oversight role
Ibrahima emphasised the role of the ECOWAS Parliament in supporting the energy transition, saying lawmakers have a responsibility to monitor energy policies, assess implementation and ensure that regional strategies reflect the concerns of citizens.
She said parliamentary oversight was critical to ensuring transparency, accountability and social inclusion as governments pursue large-scale infrastructure projects and regulatory reforms.
Energy access remains closely linked to development challenges across the region, affecting healthcare delivery, education, industrial growth and job creation.
According to international agencies, expanding reliable electricity access could significantly boost economic productivity while improving living standards for millions of people.
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Gender and energy inclusion
Separately, Lomé hosted a two-day meeting of the Women in Energy Network-Africa, bringing together policymakers, professionals and advocates to address gender inequality in the energy sector.
The meeting, held under the theme “Addressing Gender Inequalities in Energy: Partnerships for Sustainability,” focused on increasing women’s participation in energy decision-making, technical roles and leadership positions.
Participants highlighted structural barriers that limit women’s access to training, financing and career advancement in the energy industry, despite their central role in household energy use and community-level energy initiatives.
Advocates said closing the gender gap could improve project outcomes and accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions, particularly in rural areas where women are often primary users of energy for cooking, heating and small-scale economic activities.
Long-term challenges
While ECOWAS leaders have repeatedly reaffirmed their commitment to regional energy integration, analysts say implementation remains the main challenge.
Large capital requirements, weak utility finances and political instability in some member states continue to slow progress on transmission projects and market reforms.
Still, ECOWAS officials argue that coordinated regional action remains the most viable path to meeting rising energy demand while advancing climate and development goals.
Ibrahima said the energy transition must be pursued in a way that balances affordability, sustainability and inclusiveness, warning that failure to act collectively could widen inequality and leave millions without access to modern energy services.
The remarks underscore growing pressure on West African governments to translate regional ambitions into concrete projects as demand for electricity continues to rise alongside population growth and urbanisation.
