WAPP Chairman Pushes Urgent Reforms to Strengthen Regional Power Market

By Jabiru Hassan

The Chairman of the Executive Board of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), Engr. (Dr.) Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, has called for decisive action to strengthen the institution’s governance and accelerate the development of a reliable regional electricity market, describing ongoing restructuring efforts as a “strategic necessity” for the future of power integration in West Africa.

Speaking at the 67th meeting of the WAPP Executive Board held in Lomé, Togo, on May 4, 2026, Abdulaziz emphasised that as cross-border electricity exchanges expand, WAPP must reorganise its structures, increase transparency, and improve efficiency to meet growing demand and expectations across member states.

He noted that the meeting comes at a critical time for the regional power sector, with increasing pressure to deliver a more integrated, competitive, and sustainable electricity system. Strengthening interconnections, advancing the Regional Electricity Market, and maintaining effective governance arrangements, he said, remain central to WAPP’s mandate.

A key focus of the meeting was the review of a restructuring study and its recommendations, which the chairman described as essential to improving WAPP’s institutional effectiveness.

He urged board members to critically assess the proposals, identify immediate priorities, and ensure that reforms are implemented in a practical, results-driven manner.

Abdulaziz outlined three guiding principles for the reform process: continuity of WAPP’s mandate, strong governance discipline, and realistic implementation supported by adequate resources and measurable outcomes. These, he said, would ensure that reforms translate into tangible progress.

He emphasised the need for the Executive Board to provide clear direction while equipping the Secretariat with the mandate and tools required to act effectively.

The chairman also highlighted the link between governance and financial stability, noting that unlocking predictable, market-based revenue streams through the reforms is critical to sustaining progress in market development, system coordination, and regional capacity building.

He added that financial discipline remains central to the organisation’s credibility.

Abdulaziz commended the WAPP Secretariat for its efforts under challenging conditions and called for continued support, with emphasis on efficiency, transparency, and prudent resource management.

He further noted that a strong and well-governed regional market operator is essential to increasing electricity trade, improving supply reliability, reducing costs through regional optimisation, and attracting investment into the sector.

In his welcome address, the Secretary General of WAPP, Mr. Abdoulaye Dia, described the meeting as a critical milestone in governance reform.

He highlighted the importance of assessing the implementation of past decisions, evaluating progress, identifying constraints, and setting clear directions for accelerating regional energy integration.

Dia reaffirmed WAPP’s mandate to promote regional electricity infrastructure and coordinate power exchanges among ECOWAS member states.

He noted progress in grid interconnections and market preparation but acknowledged persistent challenges, including limited electricity access, rising demand, significant investment needs, and the fragile financial position of sector players. He stressed the need to achieve full synchronisation of West African utilities within the year.

Addressing the restructuring agenda, Dia said the reforms are fundamental to building a more robust and efficient institutional framework aligned with the needs of a functional regional electricity market.

He called for a transition from study to implementation through realistic, phased, and adequately funded reforms, including the gradual establishment of an independent market operator and clearer institutional roles.

He also emphasised the need for stronger financial discipline and collective responsibility, particularly in the timely payment of member contributions.

Dia identified key priorities such as accelerating interconnection projects, improving system synchronisation, strengthening market mechanisms, and enhancing institutional capacity, noting that delivering reliable, accessible, and affordable electricity remains the ultimate goal.

Three new rotating board members were introduced at the meeting, including representatives of the National Water and Electricity Company of The Gambia, the Bui Power Authority of Ghana, and the Société Béninoise de Production d’Électricité.

The meeting brought together senior representatives of member utilities and directors of the WAPP Secretariat to review progress and set strategic priorities for advancing regional energy integration across West Africa.