ECOWAS Lawmakers Convene in Dakar to Tackle Regional Energy, Electricity Access

The ECOWAS Parliament has commenced a week-long meeting of its delocalised joint committee in Dakar, Senegal, aimed at advancing renewable energy deployment and expanding electricity access across West Africa as the region intensifies efforts to achieve universal energy access by 2030.

According to a parliamentary statement, the meeting, which began on Monday, brings together members of the Joint Committee on Energy and Mines, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, and Infrastructure to develop strategies for scaling up renewable energy and accelerating rural electrification.

Regional lawmakers are joined by representatives of ECOWAS institutions, government agencies, development partners, private-sector organisations, civil society groups, and energy experts to examine practical solutions to the region’s persistent electricity challenges.

The discussions come as millions of people across rural West Africa continue to lack reliable power, limiting opportunities for economic growth, education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, and digital inclusion despite recent progress in expanding electricity access.

Delegates are expected to explore how decentralised renewable energy systems, including solar mini-grids, hybrid energy solutions, and standalone solar installations, can bridge the electricity gap in underserved communities while supporting sustainable development.

The committee will also review key regional frameworks such as the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Policy (EREP), the Energy Efficiency Policy (EEEP), the updated ECOWAS Energy Policy, and the Regional Electricity Market (REM), alongside the roles of the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), the West African Power Pool (WAPP), and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA).

As part of the programme, lawmakers will visit a renewable energy project in Senegal to engage with local communities, entrepreneurs, women, and youth benefiting from rural electrification initiatives, providing firsthand insight into the impact of clean energy investments.

The meeting is expected to conclude with recommendations aimed at strengthening regional energy cooperation, mobilising investment in renewable energy infrastructure, enhancing parliamentary oversight of ECOWAS energy policies, and accelerating efforts to deliver affordable and sustainable electricity across West Africa.