The CIGRE West Africa National Committee has recorded significant achievements in 2026, including securing funding for renewable energy training programmes and strengthening technical collaboration across the region.
Speaking at the Committee’s 7th General Assembly in Conakry, Chairman Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz said the progress reflected the commitment of members to developing a stronger, more integrated and technically advanced regional power system.
Among the Committee’s major accomplishments was the successful hosting of CIGRE training sessions and Study Committee meetings in Dakar in March 2026, which brought together power sector professionals to exchange technical knowledge and expertise.
Abdulaziz also announced that a joint project involving the Committee, VRA Academy and the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) secured an €88,700 grant from the CIGRE Fund for Innovation and Education.
The project aims to equip young women with skills in solar energy and mini-grid technologies, supporting workforce development in the region’s power sector.
He said the achievements were particularly important as West Africa moves towards the second phase of the Regional Electricity Market, which seeks to create an organised and competitive electricity market through the integration of national electricity systems into a unified regional grid.
Despite the progress, Abdulaziz noted that the regional power system remains weakly interconnected and has limited reserve capacity.
He stressed that investment in capacity building was essential for improving system reliability, enhancing utility performance and ensuring the success of the regional electricity market.
The Chairman also urged members to implement resolutions adopted at the Committee’s previous General Assembly in Lomé, including the establishment of a pooled funding mechanism and a minimum annual operating budget of €213,940 to support the sustainability of its programmes and activities.
Earlier, Secretary General Abdoulaye Dia described CIGRE as a leading global platform for technical collaboration and knowledge sharing in the electricity sector.
He said the organisation has national committees in more than 90 countries and a membership exceeding 15,000 professionals worldwide.
Dia noted that the CIGRE West Africa National Committee, officially recognised by CIGRE International in August 2020, gives member utilities and industry professionals access to the organisation’s technical publications, global knowledge network and 16 study committees.
He called on delegates to actively participate in discussions during the General Assembly, emphasising the importance of strengthening professional development, technical knowledge sharing and regional expertise to support the development of the Regional Electricity Market.
Established in 2019 by utilities affiliated with the West African Power Pool (WAPP), the CIGRE West Africa National Committee was recognised by CIGRE International in 2020.
The Committee promotes technical capacity building, knowledge sharing and the visibility of West African expertise in power systems.
The General Assembly brought together power sector experts from across West Africa and other regions to exchange experiences, strengthen professional networks and discuss the future development of the regional electricity sector.
