Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The 330kV North Core Interconnection Project, a flagship regional electricity initiative connecting Nigeria, Niger, Benin/Togo, and Burkina Faso under the West African Power Pool, WAPP, has reached 70 percent completion, with stakeholders expressing renewed determination to fast-track its delivery despite security and logistical challenges.
This was disclosed at the 6th Joint Technical and Financial Supervision, TFS, Meeting of the WAPP North Core Project in Abuja.
The high-level meeting brought together representatives from donor agencies including the World Bank, African Development Bank, and other key partners to assess progress and address project bottlenecks.
Chairman of the WAPP Board of Directors and Managing Director/CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, while hosting the Joint Supervision Mission of Donors on Friday, reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong commitment to regional energy cooperation.
According to him, “The North Core Project is crucial to our shared vision of regional electricity integration. Despite security and environmental challenges in some corridors, TCN remains fully committed to ensuring that the Nigerian segment of this project is completed on schedule.”
He commended the partners for their sustained support, describing the project as a “strategic enabler of economic growth, regional stability, and energy equity” for West Africa.
The 675km transmission line, which forms the backbone of the project, will enable the seamless flow of electricity between the four countries, improve grid stability, and foster energy trade across West Africa.
Engr. Abdulaziz noted that the WAPP North Core initiative aligns with the ECOWAS master plan for regional power generation and transmission, adding that Nigeria’s active participation demonstrates the country’s leadership in driving energy integration and sustainability.
He emphasised: “When completed, the North Core line will not only boost electricity access and affordability but also enhance regional cooperation and economic competitiveness.”
Speaking on behalf of the World Bank, Senior Energy Specialist Mr. Emmanuel Py said the North Core project had entered “a critical phase of completion,” requiring stronger synergy between national utilities and donor institutions.
“The purpose of our mission is to review progress and strengthen collaboration with TCN and other implementing agencies,” he stated. “We appreciate the effort so far and urge all parties to sustain the momentum to deliver reliable, cross-border power connectivity for millions across the sub-region.”
The meeting also reviewed project financing, procurement, and risk mitigation strategies, particularly in addressing security concerns affecting construction along the transmission corridor.
Participants at the meeting agreed on the need for continuous collaboration to overcome implementation delays and ensure that the project delivers long-term benefits for the region’s economies.
The WAPP North Core Project remains one of the most ambitious energy integration initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa, symbolising a collective drive toward a more connected, sustainable, and prosperous regional power market.
