WAPP Chairman seeks urgent reforms to strengthen regional power market

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Chairman of the Executive Board of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), Engr. (Dr.) Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, has called for decisive action to strengthen the institution’s governance and accelerate the development of a reliable regional electricity market.
He described the ongoing restructuring efforts as a “strategic necessity” for the future of power integration in West Africa.
Speaking at the 67th meeting of the WAPP Executive Board held in Lomé, Togo on Monday, Abdulaziz emphasized that as cross-border electricity exchanges expand, WAPP must reorganize its structures, increase transparency, and improve efficiency to meet growing demand and expectations across member states.
Abdulaziz, in a statement by Ndidi Mbah, General Manager, (Public Affairs), Transmission Company of Nigeria, noted that the meeting was coming at a critical time for the regional power sector, with increasing pressure to deliver a more integrated, competitive, and sustainable electricity system. However, strengthening interconnections, advancing the Regional Electricity Market, and maintaining effective governance arrangements, he said, remain central to WAPP’s mandate.
A key focus of the meeting was the review of a restructuring study and its recommendations, which the Chairman described as essential to improving WAPP’s institutional effectiveness. He urged board members to assess the proposals critically, identify immediate priorities, and ensure that reforms are implemented in a practical, results-driven manner.
Abdulaziz outlined three guiding principles for the reform process, including continuity of WAPP’s mandate, strong governance discipline, and realistic implementation supported by adequate resources and measurable outcomes these he said would ensure that reforms translates to progress. He emphasized the need for the Executive Board to provide clear direction while equipping the Secretariat with the mandate and tools required to act effectively.
The Chairman also highlighted the link between governance and financial stability, noting that unlocking predictable market based revenue streams through the reforms are critical to sustaining progress in market development, system coordination, and regional capacity building. Financial discipline, he added, is central to the organisation’s credibility.
He commended the WAPP Secretariat for its efforts under challenging conditions and called for continued support, with sustained emphasis on efficiency, transparency, and prudent resource management.
He equally noted that a strong and well-governed regional market operator is essential to increasing electricity trade as this will improve supply reliability, reduce costs through regional optimisation, and attract investment into the sector.
In his welcome address, the Secretary General of WAPP, Mr. Addoulaye DIA, described the meeting as a critical milestone governance reform.
DIA highlighted the importance of assessing implementation of past decisions, evaluating progress, identifying constraints, and setting clear directions for accelerating regional energy integration.
He reaffirmed WAPP’s mandate to promote regional electricity infrastructure while coordinating power exchanges among ECOWAS Member States.
He noted the progress in grid interconnections with countries and market preparation, and emphasized that though challenges persist, such as limited electricity access, rising demand, significant investment needs, and the fragile financial position of sector actors, there is the need to do the permanent synchronization of the West African utilities this year.
Addressing the restructuring agenda, Mr. DIA stressed that the reform is fundamental to building a more robust and efficient institutional framework aligned with the needs of a functional regional electricity market. He called for a transition from study to implementation through realistic, phased, and adequately funded reforms, including the gradual establishment of an independent market operator and clearer institutional roles.
While emphasizing the need for stronger financial discipline and collective responsibility, particularly in the timely payment of member contributions.
DIA identified key priorities, including accelerating interconnection projects, improving system synchronization, strengthening market mechanisms, and enhancing institutional capacity, noting that delivering reliable, accessible, and affordable electricity remains the ultimate goal.
Three new rotating board members were introduced at the 67th WAPP Executive Board meeting including MDs of National Water and Electricity Company of Gambia represented by Mr. Gallo SAIDY, The BIU Power Authority of Ghana represented by Mr. Justice KYERE and The Societe Béninoise de Production d’Électricité represented by Mr. Mysbaou ADAM ASSA.
The meeting also brought together senior representatives of member utilities and Directors of WAPP Secretariat, to review progress and set strategic priorities for advancing regional energy integration across West Africa.

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