The recent West African Energy Cooperation Summit (WA-ECS), held in Lomé, Togo, from December 3rd to 5th, became a focal point for governments and leaders in the international energy sector. The summit concentrated on the challenges related to project development in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region, aiming to foster sustainable energy growth, and resulted in the signing of two projects of significant importance.
At the opening, Abdoulaye Sylla, Portfolio Manager and Head of Corporate Development at EnergyNet, emphasized the importance of international cooperation. Kwawu Mensan Gaba, Director of West African Energy Unit Practices at the World Bank Group, reaffirmed the commitment to a sustainable energy future, highlighting that more than $5 billion has been mobilized for energy projects in the region since 2020. Mensan Gaba also discussed Mission 300, an initiative to finance universal access to electricity.
Sédiko Douka, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalisation, pointed out the challenge of electricity access, with only 56% of households connected despite the region’s enormous energy resources. He expressed hope that cooperation with the African Development Bank and the World Bank would benefit 100 million people in West Africa.
Togo’s Minister of Mines and Energy Resources, Robert Koffi Messan Eklo, urged the translation of promises into actions, calling on politicians and investors to create conducive conditions for investments in the energy sector. The Prime Minister of Togo, Victoire Tomegah Dogbé, highlighted Togo’s role as a regional energy hub, thanks to its advanced infrastructure.
The Director-General of Energy at the Ministry of Mines and Energy Resources, Tchapo Singo, outlined the achievements of the summit and the next steps, including interstate cooperation agreements. Two memoranda of understanding were signed: one with HAIER to promote technological development in renewable energies, and another with RELP to provide technical and institutional support to expand electrical access in Togo.
Mawusi Kakatsi, Minister Delegate, closed the ceremony by thanking the World Bank Group, underscoring the importance of cooperation to achieve the region’s energy goals and ensure a sustainable energy future for all its inhabitants.
