West African Regional Energy Governance Initiative Begins with ECOWAS Workshop

A workshop has marked the start of the Regional Energy Governance and Information System for West Africa, known as REGIS-WA, with participants focusing on stronger energy governance, improved data systems and closer regional cooperation.

The initiative is being implemented under the ECOWAS Directorate of Energy and Mines. It is funded by the European Union through the NDICI initiative and is being delivered by the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through its Promotion of a Climate-Friendly Electricity Market in the ECOWAS Region programme, known as ProCEM II.

Roadmap for regional cooperation

The workshop brought together senior officials from ECOWAS Member States’ energy ministries, along with representatives of the West African Power Pool, the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority.

Participants were expected to establish REGIS-WA’s strategic and operational roadmap, agree on key implementation milestones and develop a shared understanding of the initiative’s objectives. The meeting was also intended to create mechanisms for sustained stakeholder ownership, coordination and cooperation.

REGIS-WA is focused on translating regional energy policies into domestic action while strengthening the ECOWAS Energy Information System. Its work includes supporting the implementation and monitoring of regional energy policy, including the adoption of regional directives and the regional energy action plan by Member States.

Focus on energy statistics

A second area of work will involve developing the ECOWAS energy statistical system. This component is intended to improve the capacity of Member States to collect and produce energy statistics, providing a stronger information base for regional planning and policy monitoring.

In a virtual keynote address, Amin Amidu SULEMANI, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization, said the initiative was aligned with regional and global development frameworks as well as the revised ECOWAS treaty.

Sulemani said REGIS-WA would support the objectives of the updated regional Energy Policy through national action plans and the consolidation of the ECOWAS Energy Information System.

“ECOWAS ambition for the energy sector cannot be achieved without strong, transparent and data-driven energy governance,” he said.

Institutional and data priorities

Céline Hoste, Team Leader for Regional Cooperation, representing the Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, emphasized the importance of institutions, governance and reliable information to the development of a regional electricity market.

“A successful regional market also depends on sound governance, effective regulation, credible planning, and dependable energy statistics,” Hoste said.

Dr. Karin Jansen, Head of Development Corporation at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, said REGIS-WA would strengthen the regional energy information system, support monitoring of regional policies and action plans, and encourage strategic dialogue with the African Union.

The European Union expressed support for stronger institutions, improved governance and more dependable energy data. The German Federal Government also reaffirmed its technical and financial commitment to sustainable energy development in the region.