Abuja, June 15, 2026 – Efforts to expand access to sustainable energy across West Africa will take centre stage as members of the ECOWAS Parliament gather in Dakar, Senegal, for a week-long deliberation on renewable energy and rural electrification.
According to a statement issued on Sunday, the meeting is being organised under the theme: “Harnessing Renewable Energy for Rural Electrification and Empowerment of Rural Economies in the ECOWAS Region: The Role of the ECOWAS Parliament.”
The session is expected to focus on practical measures for increasing renewable energy adoption and improving electricity access in rural communities throughout the sub-region.
The programme will be hosted by the parliament’s Joint Committee on Energy and Mines, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, and Infrastructure.
Participants are expected to include parliamentarians from member states, officials of ECOWAS institutions, government representatives, development partners, energy specialists, private sector stakeholders and civil society groups.
The statement noted that the gathering comes at a critical period when a significant number of people living in rural parts of West Africa still lack dependable electricity despite progress recorded in recent years.
It explained that inadequate power supply continues to affect vital sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, digital connectivity and economic growth in many communities.
The regional bloc has set a target of achieving universal access to affordable and sustainable energy by 2030, with lawmakers expected to play a key role in advancing policies that support that objective.
Deliberations will explore how decentralised renewable energy solutions, including solar mini-grids, stand-alone solar systems and hybrid energy technologies, can help close the electricity access gap in underserved areas.
The parliament also observed that the region possesses substantial untapped solar and hydropower resources and that the meeting will review progress made so far, identify existing obstacles and propose strategies to attract greater investment.
Discussions will examine major regional initiatives such as the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Policy, the Energy Efficiency Policy, the revised ECOWAS Energy Policy and the Regional Electricity Market framework.
Participants will also assess the contributions of institutions including the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, the West African Power Pool and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority.
A key feature of the programme will be a visit to a renewable energy project in Senegal, where lawmakers will interact with local residents, entrepreneurs, women and youth benefiting from improved electricity access.
The visit is designed to provide firsthand insight into the impact of rural electrification on livelihoods, business growth and community development.
At the conclusion of the meeting, delegates are expected to adopt resolutions aimed at strengthening regional energy initiatives, encouraging investment in renewable energy infrastructure and enhancing legislative oversight of ECOWAS energy programmes across member states.