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ECOWAS Parliament Charts New Course to Electrify West Africa
…outline ambitious policies to tackle chronic electricity shortages despite vast energy reserves
By Gloria Ikibah
ECOWAS has unveiled a broad strategy aimed at closing West Africa’s persistent electricity deficit, despite the region possessing some of the world’s most significant untapped energy resources.
The plan was highlighted during a presentation at the ongoing delocalised joint meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Committees on Energy and Mines; Infrastructure; and Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources in Dakar, where policymakers and experts are examining pathways to accelerate energy access and rural development across the sub-region.
Delivering a presentation on “ECOWAS Regional Energy Policies and Key Energy Statistics,” the Acting Head of Conventional Energy at the ECOWAS Directorate of Energy and Mines, Mr Koumoin Arbaduis, painted a stark picture of a region blessed with abundant energy resources but still struggling to provide reliable electricity to millions of its citizens.
According to Arbaduis, West Africa possesses extensive reserves of crude oil, natural gas, biomass, uranium and coal, as well as an estimated 25,000 megawatts of hydroelectric potential. However, these advantages have yet to translate into adequate energy access and dependable power supply across the region.
He identified limited electricity generation capacity, poor access rates, costly transmission networks, significant technical and commercial losses, and heavy reliance on petroleum products as some of the key obstacles hindering progress.
Arbaduis explained that ECOWAS has developed a succession of regional policies and frameworks over the decades to address these challenges and build a more integrated and sustainable energy market.
He noted that the first ECOWAS Energy Policy, adopted in 1982 in the aftermath of the global oil crises of the 1970s, established the foundation for regional cooperation in energy production, petroleum exploration and electricity grid integration.
He said that the 2003 ECOWAS Energy Protocol subsequently provided a legal framework for investment, trade and long-term collaboration in the sector while laying the groundwork for the West African Power Pool initiative.
He also highlighted the significance of the 2006 ECOWAS/UEMOA White Paper on Access to Energy Services for Rural and Peri-urban Populations, which was designed to expand electricity access and modern energy services to underserved communities.
According to Arbaduis, major policy reforms introduced in 2013, including the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Policy and the Energy Efficiency Policy, were aimed at increasing the contribution of renewable energy to the region’s power mix, reducing energy losses and improving access to cleaner cooking technologies.
The ECOWAS official further pointed to the adoption of the ECOWAS Bioenergy Policy and the Policy for Gender Mainstreaming in Energy Access in 2017, noting that sustainable energy development must be inclusive and ensure equal opportunities for both women and men.
On emerging technologies, Arbaduis said the regional bloc had begun positioning itself for the future through the ECOWAS Green Hydrogen Policy Framework and Strategy, adopted in 2023. The initiative seeks to make West Africa one of the world’s most competitive producers and exporters of green hydrogen, with a production target of at least 500,000 tonnes by 2030.
He explained that the updated ECOWAS Energy Policy, adopted in July 2023, reflects changing economic conditions, technological advancements and climate realities. The revised framework prioritises improved governance, universal access to affordable and reliable electricity, energy diversification, efficiency improvements and wider access to clean cooking solutions.
Summarising the region’s long-term ambition, Arbaduis said the goal is to build “a community with access to modern, reliable and sustainable energy services for improved living standards and socio-economic development.”
At the end of the five-day parliamentary meeting, which started on June 15, with the theme, “Harnessing Renewable Energy for Rural Electrification and Empowerment of Rural Economies in the ECOWAS Region: The Role of the ECOWAS Parliament” , participants are expected to develop recommendations aimed at strengthening energy access, promoting investment and accelerating sustainable development throughout West Africa.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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