By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
The West African Power Pool (WAPP) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional electricity cooperation following the unanimous re-election of the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, as Chairman of its Executive Board for another three-year tenure.
Abdulaziz was re-elected at the 68th Meeting of the WAPP Executive Board held in Lomé, Togo, on October 8 and 9, 2026, where members deliberated on institutional reforms, financial obligations, network synchronisation and preparations for the next phase of the regional electricity market.
The meeting followed the 67th session, which approved the principles for the progressive establishment of the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO), while retaining the operational role of the WAPP Information and Coordination Centre (ICC) to ensure continuity during the transition.
Speaking after his re-election, Abdulaziz expressed appreciation to members of the Executive Board for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to continue working with the team to advance WAPP’s objectives and strengthen regional electricity integration.
He urged member utilities to embrace collective responsibility in developing a viable regional electricity market, stressing that decisions taken at Executive Board meetings must translate into concrete actions capable of addressing the energy needs of West Africa.
According to him, the implementation of the ISMO initiative requires a sound legal, institutional and financial framework that safeguards WAPP’s interests and those of its member utilities.
The TCN boss also underscored the importance of statutory contributions to the sustainability of the regional power organisation, urging member utilities to fulfil their financial obligations.
“Statutory contributions are not a formality; they are the basis of WAPP’s autonomy and capacity to act,” Abdulaziz said.
He added that although the Secretariat was pursuing cost-reduction measures, such efforts must not undermine the institution’s critical functions and operational effectiveness.
On the technical front, Abdulaziz identified network synchronisation and the launch of the regional electricity market as two major priorities requiring sustained cooperation among member countries and stakeholders.
He described network synchronisation as a significant technical achievement that must be backed by coordinated system operations, appropriate security arrangements and adequate market readiness.
The chairman maintained that the regional electricity market could only deliver its expected benefits if supported by clearly defined rules, reliable data, credible financial mechanisms and independent, effective governance.
Earlier, the WAPP Secretary-General and Secretary of the Executive Board, Mr. Abdoulaye Dia, said the organisation had continued implementing guidelines for institutional strengthening and the progressive operationalisation of the ISMO since the 67th session.
Dia explained that the process involved functional and accounting unbundling, alongside an orderly transition that would enable the ICC to maintain operational continuity during Phase Two of the Regional Electricity Market.
He noted that the progress recorded by WAPP and the institution’s growing visibility had attracted new partnerships, reaffirming the Secretariat’s commitment to establishing an integrated, reliable and competitive regional electricity system.
He also expressed optimism about preparations for the launch of the second phase of the regional electricity market early next year.
On financial matters, the Secretary-General stressed the need for member utilities to settle outstanding contributions, noting that regular funding, rigorous financial management and collective discipline were essential to WAPP’s credibility and effective service delivery.
The Executive Board also considered a restructuring study on the operationalisation of the ISMO, describing the initiative as consistent with international best practices and necessary to mitigate political interference as the regional electricity market evolves.
Among other decisions, the Board adopted the Charter of the Forum for Women in Energy in West Africa and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Millennium Challenge Account Côte d’Ivoire.
The meeting also welcomed new representatives of member utilities to the Executive Board.
They included Mr. Lawrent Tossou, the new Managing Director of Société Béninoise d’Énergie Électrique (SBEE), representing the Republic of Benin; Mr. Amidou Traore, the new Director-General of CI-ENERGIES; and Mr. Julien Sagna, representing Société de Gestion de l’Énergie de Manantali (SOGEM).
In another development, the Board reviewed membership applications from four utilities seeking to join the regional power pool.
The applicants are Konexa of Nigeria; SOGESART, the Société de Gestion de l’Énergie de Sambangalou et du Réseau de Transport d’Électricité of Senegal; SOGEOH, the Société de Gestion de l’Énergie des Ouvrages du Haut Bassin du Fleuve Sénégal; and HOLDEN–Niger SARL, an independent power producer from the Republic of Niger.
The applications are expected to be ratified at the WAPP General Assembly scheduled to hold before the end of 2026.
The decisions reached at the 68th Executive Board meeting underscore WAPP’s continuing efforts to strengthen institutional governance, improve financial discipline and accelerate the development of an integrated regional electricity market capable of delivering reliable and competitive power across West Africa.
