…as lawmakers, experts, development partners seek practical solutions to West Africa’s electricity deficit
By Gloria Ikibah
The ECOWAS Parliament has opened a five-day high-level meeting in Dakar with a renewed call for greater investment in renewable energy, positioning rural electrification as a critical tool for economic growth, job creation and sustainable development across West Africa. 
The Delocalised Joint Committee Meeting brings together parliamentarians, government officials, energy specialists, development partners and private sector stakeholders to examine ways of expanding electricity access in rural communities, where millions of residents remain disconnected from reliable power despite the region’s vast renewable energy resources.
The gathering is expected to focus on policy reforms, financing mechanisms and legislative frameworks needed to accelerate the deployment of clean energy solutions throughout the sub-region, under the theme, “Harnessing Renewable Energy for Rural Electrification and Empowerment of Rural Economies in the ECOWAS Region: The Role of the ECOWAS Parliament” .
Declaring the meeting open on behalf of the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, the Fourth Deputy Speaker, Hon. Billay Tunkara, emphasised that renewable energy must be viewed not only as a means of supplying electricity but also as a powerful instrument for transforming rural economies.
“Renewable energy is not merely a technical response to electricity demand. It is a key driver in transforming economic activities, particularly in rural areas,” he said.
Tunkara commended Senegal for its commitment to energy transition efforts and acknowledged the country’s drive towards greater energy independence. He noted that investments in solar power and diversification of energy sources had contributed significantly to improving electricity access in rural communities.
He also called on member states to intensify efforts to ensure that renewable energy becomes a vehicle for inclusive growth and social development across the region.
“Together, let us make rural electrification through renewable energy a catalyst for the economic empowerment of women, young people and farmers. Access to clean energy is a fundamental right, a factor in social peace and a driver of sustainable development”, he added.
The Deputy Speaker further urged governments across the ECOWAS region to strengthen support for renewable energy programmes through innovative financing arrangements, technology transfer initiatives, local manufacturing and stronger parliamentary oversight of regional energy policies.
In his welcome remarks, Head of the Senegalese Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Guy Marius Sagna, described the conference as a crucial opportunity for West Africa to advance its quest for energy sovereignty and sustainable development.
He expressed concern that electricity access in many rural areas remains critically low despite the region’s abundant renewable energy potential.
“Our country, the Republic of Senegal, is deeply honored and truly enthusiastic to host this meeting, whose theme resonates particularly strongly as a call to action. A call to make the development of renewable energy a key component of our energy sovereignty.
“The figures speak for themselves. In our ECOWAS region, access to electricity for rural households is still capped at around 12 percent, while our region boasts exceptional solar potential. This gap between our resources and their exploitation is a challenge that we must collectively and urgently address”, he added.
According to Sagna, achieving energy independence is essential to addressing broader socio-economic challenges such as poverty, unemployment, food insecurity and underdevelopment.
Earlier, Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Energy and Mines, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, and Infrastructure, Hon. Fanta Conte, highlighted the urgency of tackling the widening gap between energy demand and supply across the region.
“Less than 40 percent of the rural population has access to electricity. In some of our Member States, this rate falls below 10 percent in the most remote areas,” she said.
Conte noted that inadequate electricity access continues to undermine healthcare services, agricultural productivity, educational opportunities and income generation, particularly for women and young people living in rural communities.
She also emphasised the responsibility of lawmakers in ensuring that regional energy policies are translated into effective national legislation and implemented successfully.
“Our role is to ensure that commitments made at the regional level, particularly the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Policy and the Energy Efficiency Action Plan, are effectively transposed into national legislation and, above all, implemented on the ground,” she stated.
The committee chair expressed optimism that the deliberations, which include technical sessions and a field visit to renewable energy projects in Mboursine village, would yield practical recommendations capable of accelerating rural electrification and driving sustainable economic growth throughout the ECOWAS region.
The meeting is expected to continue until June 19, culminating in recommendations aimed at strengthening regional energy cooperation and expanding access to clean, affordable and reliable electricity across West Africa.
