The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a comprehensive roadmap to expand access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy in rural communities across West Africa, urging accelerated investment in renewable energy to drive economic growth and improve livelihoods.
The resolutions were unanimously approved at the conclusion of a five-day delocalized meeting of the Joint Committee on Energy and Mines, Infrastructure, and Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, held in Dakar, Senegal, from June 15 to 19, 2026.
The meeting, themed “Harnessing Renewable Energy for Rural Electrification and the Revitalisation of Rural Economies in the ECOWAS Region: The Role of the ECOWAS Parliament,” brought together parliamentarians from across the sub-region to examine strategies for improving energy access in underserved communities.
The adoption followed the presentation of a draft report by the committee’s rapporteur, which captured the outcomes of technical presentations, panel discussions, and a field visit to renewable energy installations. Lawmakers scrutinized the report and proposed amendments to strengthen its recommendations and ensure they reflected the development aspirations of citizens across the region.
A key outcome was the call for expanded deployment of decentralized energy solutions, including mini-grids and off-grid systems, particularly in rural areas where electricity access remains limited. Parliamentarians also recommended harmonizing regulatory frameworks across member states, strengthening innovative financing mechanisms, and increasing parliamentary oversight of energy projects to enhance transparency and implementation.
The adopted resolutions urged ECOWAS member states to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies as part of broader efforts to revitalize rural economies, create employment opportunities, and stimulate local development. Lawmakers emphasized the need for stronger regional coordination and called for increased support to the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE).
The meeting highlighted the importance of involving parliamentarians more closely in the implementation and monitoring of regional energy projects to ensure accountability. Members also called for urgent measures to address financial challenges facing the West African Power Pool (WAPP), the regional electricity network established to facilitate power sharing among ECOWAS member states.
Parliamentarians reaffirmed the continuity of regional energy projects involving countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), emphasizing the importance of honoring existing contractual commitments and maintaining regional cooperation in the energy sector. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Joint Committee Chairperson Hon. Fanta Conte commended members for their active participation and constructive engagement.
She emphasized that rural electrification should be viewed as a tool for broader socio-economic transformation, noting that improved electricity access can stimulate economic growth, create jobs, boost agricultural productivity, and empower women and young people in rural communities.
According to Conte, the recommendations adopted in Dakar provide a practical roadmap for accelerating the region’s energy transition and advancing efforts toward universal electricity access. She urged parliamentarians to leverage their legislative, oversight, and advocacy mandates to support energy policy implementation and mobilize political commitment for renewable energy investments.
She also encouraged ECOWAS member states to capitalize on their abundant renewable energy resources and transform them into engines of sustainable development, economic growth, and regional integration. The recommendations are expected to guide future parliamentary engagement on energy policy and support ongoing regional efforts to expand electricity access to millions of people in rural West Africa.
