The West African Power Pool (WAPP) Executive Board has unanimously re-elected Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz as Chairman for another three year term, reaffirming its confidence in his leadership as the regional electricity body advances plans for an integrated electricity market and the operationalisation of an Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO).
The re election took place during the 68th Meeting of the WAPP Executive Board, held in Lomé on October 8 and 9, 2026.
Speaking after his re election, Engr. Abdulaziz thanked Board members for their confidence and pledged to continue working with them to advance WAPP’s objectives. He urged member utilities to strengthen collective responsibility in building a viable regional electricity market, stressing that Board decisions must improve the institution’s capacity to respond to the region’s energy needs.
He recalled that the 67th Board Meeting approved the principles for the progressive establishment of the ISMO while preserving operational continuity through the transitional role of the WAPP Information and Coordination Centre (ICC).
According to him, the priority is now to ensure that the decisions are implemented within a sound legal, institutional and financial framework that safeguards the interests of WAPP and its members.
The Chairman also underscored the importance of statutory contributions to the organisation’s financial independence and operational capacity.
“Statutory contributions are not a formality; they are the basis of WAPP’s autonomy and capacity to act,” he said, urging member utilities to fulfil their financial obligations while the Secretariat pursues cost-reduction measures without compromising critical functions.
On the technical front, Engr. Abdulaziz identified network synchronisation and the launch of the regional electricity market as key priorities. He noted that synchronisation must be backed by coordinated system operations, appropriate security arrangements and the readiness of market participants.
He added that the regional electricity market would only deliver its full benefits if supported by clear rules, reliable data, credible financial mechanisms and independent, effective governance.
Earlier, the WAPP Secretary General and Secretary of the Executive Board, Mr. Abdoulaye Dia, said the organisation had continued implementing institutional strengthening guidelines and advancing the progressive operationalisation of the ISMO since the 67th session.
He explained that functional and accounting unbundling, alongside an orderly transition, would enable the ICC to maintain operational continuity during Phase 2 of the Regional Electricity Market.
Mr. Dia attributed WAPP’s growing partnerships to the progress achieved and the institution’s increased visibility, reaffirming the Secretariat’s commitment to building an integrated, reliable and competitive regional electricity system ahead of the planned launch of the market’s second phase early next year.
Addressing member contributions and the Pool’s 2025 financial statements, he urged utilities to settle outstanding obligations, noting that regular funding, rigorous financial management and collective discipline were essential to WAPP’s credibility and service delivery.
The Board also considered a restructuring study on the operationalisation of the ISMO, which is intended to align the organisation with best practices and mitigate political interference as the regional electricity market evolves.
Among other decisions, the Board adopted the Charter of the Forum for Women in Energy in West Africa and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Millennium Challenge Account Côte d’Ivoire.
The meeting also welcomed new representatives of member utilities to the Board. They include Mr. Lawrent Tossou, Managing Director of the Société Béninoise d’Énergie Électrique (SBEE), representing Benin; Mr. Amidou Traore, Director General of CI-ENERGIES; and Mr. Julien Sagna, representing the Société de Gestion de l’Énergie de Manantali (SOGEM).
In a further step towards expanding regional cooperation, the Board reviewed membership applications from four utilities seeking to join WAPP: Konexa of Nigeria; SOGESART, the Société de Gestion de l’Énergie de Sambangalou et du Réseau de Transport d’Électricité, of Senegal; SOGEOH, the Société de Gestion de l’Énergie des Ouvrages du Haut Bassin du Fleuve Sénégal; and HOLDEN–Niger SARL, an independent power producer from Niger.
The applications are expected to be submitted for ratification at the WAPP General Assembly scheduled to hold before the end of 2026.
