The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has set a target of increasing the share of renewable energy in the region’s electricity mix to 48 per cent by 2030 as part of efforts to achieve universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity across West Africa.
The commitment was reaffirmed by the Director of Cabinet in the Office of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr Abdou Kolley, during the ongoing delocalised meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament in Dakar, Senegal.
Represented by the Acting Director of Energy and Mines at the ECOWAS Commission, Mr Williams Baidoe, Kolley said the regional bloc remained focused on expanding access to electricity and accelerating energy transition initiatives to improve the lives of millions of people in member states.
He spoke at a joint session of the parliament’s Committees on Energy and Mines, Infrastructure, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, themed: “Harnessing Renewable Energy for Rural Electrification and Empowerment of Rural Economies in the ECOWAS Region: The Role of the ECOWAS Parliament.”
According to Kolley, ECOWAS’ Renewable Energy Policy is designed to increase the contribution of renewable energy sources, including large hydropower projects, to 48 per cent of the region’s electricity generation mix by 2030.
He added that the bloc’s Energy Efficiency Policy seeks to reduce electricity losses, currently estimated at between 35 and 40 per cent, which are largely attributed to obsolete infrastructure across the sub-region.
“The renewable energy policy aims to raise the share of renewable sources, including large hydropower, to 48 per cent by 2030, while the energy efficiency policy seeks to reduce electricity losses currently estimated at between 35 and 40 per cent due to obsolete infrastructure,” he said.
Kolley noted that improved electricity access would transform lives across the region by supporting education, healthcare delivery and economic opportunities, particularly in underserved rural communities.
“We continuously imagine the lives of families being illuminated with hope, students able to study after sunset, health centres able to save more lives, and citizens finding new economic opportunities in their own communities,” he stated.
The ECOWAS official highlighted several initiatives being implemented to address energy access challenges, including gender-responsive energy policies anchored on the updated ECOWAS Energy Policy, Renewable Energy Policy and Energy Efficiency Policy.
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He also disclosed that the commission had adopted the ECOWAS Climate Strategy to coordinate member states’ efforts in tackling climate change through adaptation and mitigation measures.
Kolley said specialised regional institutions, including the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA), were working to strengthen energy integration and develop infrastructure needed to deliver sustainable energy services.
He stressed that electricity access should not be viewed merely as a means of lighting homes, but as a critical driver of economic growth, quality healthcare and improved educational outcomes.
According to him, ECOWAS is collaborating with member states, development partners and private sector stakeholders to mobilise resources, build capacity and promote clean energy markets throughout the region.
He expressed confidence that recommendations from the parliamentary meeting would contribute to innovative solutions aimed at accelerating universal energy access and fostering shared prosperity across West Africa.
