The ECOWAS Parliament has launched a five-day Delocalized Joint Committee Meeting in Dakar to address rural electrification and accelerate renewable energy deployment across West Africa.
Running from June 15 to 19, 2026, the meeting gathers regional lawmakers, government officials, development partners, and energy experts under the theme: “Harnessing Renewable Energy for Rural Electrification and Empowerment of Rural Economies in the ECOWAS Region: The Role of the ECOWAS Parliament.”
In a statement signed by the Chief Communication Officer, ECOWAS Parliament Uchenna Duru-Nwaotule and made available to Channel Network Afrique, CNA indicates that the initiative is a collaborative effort between the Sixth Legislature’s Joint Committee on Energy and Mines; Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources; and Infrastructure.
Despite recent progress in sub-regional electrification, millions in rural West Africa still lack reliable electricity.
This deficit continues to hamper agricultural productivity, education, healthcare, digital inclusion, and overall economic growth.
The high-level talks come as ECOWAS races against its target to achieve universal access to sustainable, affordable energy by 2030.
Delegates will focus on how decentralized renewable energy systems such as solar mini-grids, hybrid energy systems, and stand-alone solar installations can effectively bridge the electricity gap in underserved communities.
Lawmakers will assess the region’s vast, untapped solar and hydropower potential, map out existing investment barriers, and identify pathways to scale up regional funding.
The Joint Committee is scheduled to review several key regional frameworks and the contributions of critical specialized agencies, including:
The ECOWAS Renewable Energy Policy (EREP)
The Energy Efficiency Policy (EEEP)
The updated ECOWAS Energy Policy and the Regional Electricity Market (REM)
The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE)
The West African Power Pool (WAPP)
The ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA).
As part of the itinerary, parliamentarians will conduct a field visit to a local renewable energy installation in Senegal.
The visit aims to provide firsthand insight into how rural electrification impacts local enterprises, beneficiary communities, entrepreneurs, and women and youth groups.
The five-day session is expected to conclude with the adoption of a framework of recommendations aimed at boosting regional rural electrification efforts, mobilizing infrastructure investments, and strengthening parliamentary oversight on ECOWAS energy programs.
The ECOWAS Parliament serves as the representative assembly and forum for dialogue for the populations of the West African community.
It is composed of 97 seats allocated proportionally by population. Nigeria holds the largest share with 35 seats, followed by Ghana with 8, and Côte d’Ivoire with 7. Guinea and Senegal hold 6 seats each, while Benin, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo hold 5 seats each.
