By Gloria Ikibah
Energy experts have urged ECOWAS lawmakers to rethink electricity access as more than a basic social service, arguing that reliable power remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming rural economies, creating jobs and accelerating sustainable development across West Africa.
The call was made during the ongoing delocalised meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Joint Committee on Energy and Mines, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, and Infrastructure, where stakeholders are examining strategies for expanding energy access and strengthening rural livelihoods throughout the region. 
Presenting a paper titled “The Impact of Energy Access on Rural Economies: Agro-Processing and Livelihoods”, Hary Andriantavy of the African Association for Rural Electrification (CLUB-ER) said access to electricity should be regarded as a cornerstone of economic and social development rather than merely a means of illuminating homes.
According to him, reliable energy has far-reaching effects on productivity, education, healthcare delivery and the overall quality of life in rural communities.
“Energy access has impacts across four key areas: economic development and productive use of energy, basic social services such as health and education, quality of life and social inclusion, and environmental sustainability,” he said.
Andriantavy explained that global development institutions increasingly recognise electricity as a critical factor in achieving broader economic and social goals.
He noted that Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) considers universal access to energy indispensable for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals, warning that inadequate electricity continues to limit healthcare services, educational opportunities and economic advancement in many developing regions.
The energy expert also highlighted findings by the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), which underscore the role of energy in supporting millions of jobs and livelihoods while facilitating a fair transition to low-carbon development.
He further referenced Mission 300, an initiative targeting electricity access for 300 million Africans by 2030, describing it as a clear example of how energy can transform lives by enabling access to information, improving healthcare services through vaccine preservation and creating large-scale employment opportunities.
According to Andriantavy, the Rockefeller Foundation has identified lack of electricity as one of the strongest indicators of extreme poverty, while greater energy access serves as a pathway to economic empowerment, digital inclusion and expanded opportunities for women.
He also cited recommendations from Climate Parliament, which advocates integrating energy access policies with broader poverty reduction and green transition strategies.
The expert stressed that productive uses of electricity, including agro-processing, grain milling, welding services and clean cooking technologies, can significantly improve rural incomes and reduce economic disparities.
Drawing from practical experiences across the region, Andriantavy highlighted successful renewable energy projects in Mali, Benin and Togo, where mini-grid systems and renewable energy-powered economic zones have stimulated local businesses and enhanced living standards.
Projects such as the Electrified Activity Zones initiative implemented by the French non-governmental organisation GERES in Mali, alongside community-based mini-grid schemes in Benin and Togo, have generated measurable benefits, including higher business revenues, increased agricultural value addition, job creation and improved financial inclusion.
According to him, the projects have also strengthened public services, improved living conditions and helped retain skilled workers in rural communities that often struggle with migration to urban centres.
Turning to the role of legislators, Andriantavy urged parliamentarians throughout the ECOWAS sub-region to create favourable conditions for investment in renewable energy through policy reforms, financing support and stronger institutional frameworks.
He called for the establishment of dedicated national renewable energy funds, increased public investment in the sector and targeted tax incentives, including the removal of value-added taxes on solar and hydroelectric equipment to make off-grid electricity solutions more affordable.
The expert also advocated legal frameworks that encourage decentralised mini-grids, clean energy technologies and productive-use energy applications, while ensuring that energy policies remain inclusive and accessible to vulnerable populations.
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Beyond legislation, he emphasised the importance of parliamentary oversight in ensuring accountability and effective implementation of energy programmes.
He urged lawmakers to use their budgetary powers to strengthen monitoring systems, demand transparency in public spending and support evidence-based policymaking that delivers measurable benefits to communities.
Participants at the meeting broadly agreed that expanding access to affordable and reliable energy remains central to unlocking the economic potential of rural communities and achieving long-term sustainable development across West Africa.
