By Adelabu Jumoke
West African energy ministers on Tuesday renewed calls for stronger regional cooperation to tackle chronic electricity shortages and fast-track the establishment of a unified regional power market.
Speaking at the West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit in Accra, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, joined his counterparts from Ghana, The Gambia, and Liberia in urging ECOWAS institutions to accelerate power interconnection projects, harmonise regulations, and move from policy discussions to practical implementation.
Mr Adelabu said the region’s energy stability is closely tied to Nigeria’s success, noting that the country hosts the largest gas reserves in West Africa and must play a central role in sustaining regional supply. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional integration and highlighted ongoing work on the West African Gas Pipeline expansion and efforts toward permanent grid synchronisation.
Ghana’s Energy Minister, John Jinapor, described the summit as a turning point, insisting that West Africa must no longer operate “in isolation.” He referenced the November 2025 pilot synchronisation of the Ghana–Togo–Benin grid with Nigeria as a major step toward a functional regional power market. He urged countries to leave the forum with concrete commitments, not declarations.
Gambia’s Minister of Energy, Nani Juwara, called for coordinated action to standardise power purchase agreements and expand regional infrastructure. He cited Gambia’s growing renewable energy efforts, including a 23 MW solar plant and a cooperation agreement with Turkey.
Liberia’s Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Charles Umehai, said cross-border electricity trade is vital to meeting development needs and advancing climate goals. He reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to clean energy expansion under President Joseph Boakai.
The summit continues in Accra with further discussions on regulatory harmonisation, transmission financing, and building a unified West African electricity grid.
