Precious Anga
Lagos — The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament will convene a high-level meeting in Dakar, Senegal, from June 15 to 19, 2026, to accelerate rural electrification efforts through renewable energy across the region.
The five-day session will bring together lawmakers, government officials, development partners, private sector players, civil society organisations and energy experts to develop practical strategies for expanding electricity access to underserved communities.
The meeting, themed “Harnessing Renewable Energy for Rural Electrification and Empowerment of Rural Economies in the ECOWAS Region: The Role of the ECOWAS Parliament,” comes as millions of people across West Africa continue to live without reliable electricity despite years of investment in the sector.
According to ECOWAS, inadequate power supply remains a major obstacle to agricultural productivity, healthcare delivery, education, digital inclusion and broader economic development in rural communities.
The regional bloc said discussions will focus on scaling up decentralised renewable energy solutions, including solar mini-grids, hybrid energy systems and standalone solar installations, to bridge the electricity gap in remote areas.
Participants will also assess the region’s vast but underutilised renewable energy potential, particularly in solar and hydropower, while identifying pathways to attract greater investment into energy infrastructure.
The meeting will review key regional frameworks, including the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Policy, the Energy Efficiency Policy, the updated ECOWAS Energy Policy and the Regional Electricity Market, with a view to strengthening implementation.
As part of the programme, delegates will visit a renewable energy project in Senegal to assess its impact on local communities and engage with entrepreneurs, women and youth groups benefiting from improved electricity access.
The exercise is expected to provide lawmakers with firsthand insight into how renewable energy is driving economic activity and improving livelihoods in rural areas.
At the end of the meeting, the Parliament is expected to adopt recommendations aimed at accelerating rural electrification, strengthening parliamentary oversight and mobilising investment to support ECOWAS’ target of achieving universal access to affordable and sustainable energy by 2030.
