The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has begun talks with Energy China International to boost cooperation on power infrastructure development across the region.
The discussions were held in Abuja, where officials from ECOWAS’ Energy and Mines Directorate met with representatives of the Chinese firm to explore collaboration opportunities on regional energy projects.
Participants also included officials from the West African Power Pool (WAPP), the body responsible for coordinating electricity generation and transmission among member states.
Discussions focused on expanding electricity access, enhancing grid reliability, and identifying financing mechanisms to support priority projects in the region’s power sector.
Acting Director of Energy and Mines at ECOWAS, William Baidoe, highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening electricity distribution networks and developing energy storage systems to stabilize power supply.
Kodjo Afidegnon, Director of Planning, Investment Programming and Environmental Safeguards at WAPP, outlined key projects under the ECOWAS Master Plan (2019–2033).
These include major regional interconnection initiatives such as the CLSG project linking Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea; the North Core project connecting Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Benin; the OMVG project linking Senegal, the Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau; and the Medium Backbone project spanning Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Afidegnon emphasised that these initiatives present significant investment opportunities for international partners and energy companies.
Representing Energy China, General Manager Huang Aijun reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting ECOWAS projects, citing technical expertise in both conventional and renewable energy, as well as access to
