By Gloria Ikibah
The ECOWAS Parliament is set to convene a major regional meeting in Dakar aimed at advancing renewable energy deployment and expanding electricity access to millions of people living in rural communities across West Africa.
The five-day Delocalised Joint Committee Meeting, scheduled for June 15 to 19, will bring together Members of Parliament, representatives of ECOWAS institutions, government officials, development partners, private sector stakeholders, civil society organisations and energy experts to examine practical solutions for accelerating rural electrification throughout the region. 
The meeting will be held under the theme, “Harnessing Renewable Energy for Rural Electrification and Empowerment of Rural Economies in the ECOWAS Region: The Role of the ECOWAS Parliament”, will be organised by the Joint Committee on Energy and Mines, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, and Infrastructure under the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament.
The gathering comes against the backdrop of persistent energy deficits across many rural communities in West Africa, where millions of residents still lack access to reliable electricity despite notable progress in recent years. Limited electricity access continues to affect key sectors, including agriculture, education, healthcare, digital connectivity and economic productivity.
With ECOWAS targeting universal access to sustainable and affordable energy by 2030, participants are expected to focus on the role of parliamentary action in advancing that objective and supporting policies that encourage investment and innovation in the energy sector.
Central to the discussions will be the potential of decentralised renewable energy solutions, including solar mini-grids, hybrid energy systems and stand-alone solar installations, to close the electricity access gap in underserved areas.
Delegates will also assess how West Africa can better harness its vast but largely untapped solar and hydropower resources to meet growing energy demand.
The meeting will further review major regional energy frameworks, including the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Policy (EREP), the Energy Efficiency Policy (EEEP), the updated ECOWAS Energy Policy and the Regional Electricity Market (REM).
Participants will also evaluate the contributions of the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA) in strengthening regional energy integration.
One of the key features of the programme will be a field visit to a renewable energy installation in Senegal. During the visit, lawmakers will engage directly with beneficiary communities, local entrepreneurs, women and youth groups to gain first-hand insight into the impact of rural electrification on livelihoods, economic activity and community development.
At the end of the meeting, Members of Parliament are expected to adopt a set of recommendations aimed at reinforcing regional rural electrification initiatives, attracting greater investment into renewable energy infrastructure and strengthening parliamentary oversight of ECOWAS energy policies and programmes.
The outcomes of the Dakar meeting are expected to contribute to ongoing efforts to bridge the energy access gap and support sustainable economic growth across the ECOWAS region.
