WAPP Boss Pushes Urgent Reforms To Fix West Africa’s Fragile Electricity Market
In a region where unreliable power continues to stall economic growth, the push for a unified electricity market is gaining fresh urgency.
The Chairman of the Executive Board of the West African Power Pool, Engr. (Dr.) Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, has called for sweeping reforms to strengthen governance and fast-track a functional regional power market across West Africa.
Speaking at the organisation’s 67th Executive Board meeting in Lomé on Monday, Abdulaziz described ongoing restructuring efforts as a “strategic necessity” to meet rising electricity demand and deepen cross-border power trade.
He stressed that as electricity exchanges expand among ECOWAS member states, WAPP must become more transparent, efficient, and results-driven.
According to him, strengthening interconnections, advancing the regional electricity market, and tightening governance are critical to delivering reliable power.
The meeting reviewed key restructuring proposals aimed at improving institutional effectiveness, with Abdulaziz urging members to prioritise practical reforms backed by measurable outcomes and adequate resources.
He also linked stronger governance to financial stability, noting that predictable, market-based revenue is essential for sustaining progress and attracting investment into the sector.
In his remarks, WAPP Secretary General, Abdoulaye Dia, described the reforms as vital to building a resilient and efficient regional electricity system.
He highlighted persistent challenges, including limited access to power, rising demand, and weak financial capacity among sector players, while calling for accelerated grid synchronisation across the region.
Despite the hurdles, both leaders expressed confidence that a well-structured and disciplined regional market could improve electricity supply, reduce costs, and unlock economic growth across West Africa.
The meeting also introduced new rotating board members from The Gambia, Ghana, and Benin, as WAPP intensifies efforts to deliver stable and affordable electricity to millions across the region.
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