The Economic Community of West African States has initiated discussions with Energy China International to strengthen cooperation on power infrastructure development across West Africa.
The engagement took place in Abuja, where officials from ECOWAS’ Energy and Mines Directorate met with representatives of the Chinese firm to explore opportunities for collaboration on regional energy projects.
Participants at the meeting also included officials from the West African Power Pool, the regional body responsible for coordinating electricity generation and transmission among member states.
Discussions centred on expanding electricity access, improving grid reliability, and identifying financing mechanisms to support priority projects in the region’s power sector.
Acting Director of Energy and Mines at ECOWAS, William Baidoe, highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening electricity distribution networks and developing energy storage systems to stabilise power supply.
Also speaking, Kodjo Afidegnon, Director of Planning, Investment Programming and Environmental Safeguards at WAPP, outlined key projects under the ECOWAS Master Plan (2019–2033).
These include major regional interconnection projects such as the CLSG project linking Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea; the North Core project connecting Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and Benin; the OMVG project linking Senegal, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau; and the Medium Backbone project spanning Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
Afidegnon noted that these initiatives present significant investment opportunities for international partners and energy companies.
On behalf of Energy China, General Manager Huang Aijun reaffirmed the company’s interest in supporting ECOWAS projects through technical expertise in both conventional and renewable energy, as well as access to financing.
Both parties agreed to sustain engagement to assess project viability and identify concrete areas for collaboration.
ECOWAS said the discussions reflect its broader strategy to mobilise investments, expand electricity access, and promote sustainable energy development across West Africa.
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
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