Precious Anga
Lagos — The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has set an ambitious target of increasing the share of renewable energy in the region’s electricity mix to 48 per cent by 2030, as part of broader efforts to accelerate energy transition and expand access to reliable power across West Africa.
The regional bloc also reaffirmed its commitment to achieving universal access to affordable, sustainable and reliable electricity for households, businesses and public institutions across member states within the same timeframe.
The position was disclosed on Wednesday at the ongoing delocalised meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament in Dakar, Senegal, by Mr. Abdou Kolley, Director of Cabinet, Office of the President of the ECOWAS Commission. He was represented by Mr. Williams Baidoe, Acting Director of Energy and Mines.
The session brought together lawmakers under the Joint Committee on Energy and Mines, Infrastructure, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, with discussions centred on renewable energy deployment and rural electrification.
Speaking at the meeting themed “Harnessing Renewable Energy for Rural Electrification and Empowerment of Rural Economies in the ECOWAS Region: The Role of the ECOWAS Parliament,” Kolley said the policy direction reflects the bloc’s long-term strategy to transform the regional energy landscape.
He explained that ECOWAS renewable energy policy aims to raise the contribution of clean energy sources including large hydropower to 48 per cent of total electricity generation by 2030.
He also noted that the energy efficiency framework targets a significant reduction in electricity losses, currently estimated at between 35 and 40 per cent, largely due to ageing and inefficient infrastructure across member states.
According to him, improving energy access goes beyond infrastructure expansion, stressing its direct impact on livelihoods, education, healthcare delivery and economic productivity across 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 said.
Kolley said the parliamentary engagement provides a platform to deepen stakeholder collaboration, strengthen policy understanding, and accelerate practical solutions to energy poverty in the region.
He highlighted ongoing regional initiatives, including a gender-responsive energy policy framework anchored on updated ECOWAS energy strategies, as well as the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency policies.
He further disclosed that ECOWAS has adopted a regional climate strategy aimed at harmonising mitigation and adaptation efforts among member states in response to growing climate risks.
Key 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 also noted as critical drivers of regional energy integration.
Kolley stressed that ECOWAS is working with member states, development partners and private sector stakeholders to mobilise investment, strengthen technical capacity, and develop competitive clean energy markets across West Africa.
He added that outcomes from the parliamentary engagement are expected to shape policy recommendations aimed at accelerating universal electricity access and advancing shared regional prosperity.
