WorldStage– The ECOWAS parliament is set to begin a five-day delocalized joint committee meeting in Dakar, Senegal, aimed at advancing renewable energy deployment and accelerating rural electrification across West Africa.
The meeting, scheduled for June 15 to 19, 2026, will bring together lawmakers, ECOWAS institutions, government officials, development partners, private sector stakeholders, civil society groups, and energy experts to develop strategies for expanding access to sustainable energy in rural communities.
Held 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 gathering will be jointly organized by the Parliament’s Committees on Energy and Mines; Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources; and Infrastructure under the Sixth Legislature.
The session comes as millions of people across rural West Africa continue to live without reliable electricity, limiting opportunities in agriculture, healthcare, education, digital connectivity, and economic development. Although progress has been recorded in recent years, ECOWAS remains committed to achieving universal access to affordable and sustainable energy by 2030.
Participants will explore how decentralized renewable energy solutions, including solar mini-grids, hybrid systems, and stand-alone solar installations, can help bridge the electricity access gap in underserved communities. Discussions will also focus on unlocking the region’s vast solar and hydropower potential while identifying obstacles to investment and implementation.
The Joint Committee is expected to review key regional energy frameworks, including the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Policy (EREP), the Energy Efficiency Policy (EEEP), the updated ECOWAS Energy Policy, and the Regional Electricity Market (REM). The meeting will also assess the contributions of the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), the West African Power Pool (WAPP), and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA) in promoting energy access and regional integration.
As part of the programme, lawmakers will undertake a field visit to a renewable energy installation in Senegal, where they will interact with beneficiary communities, local entrepreneurs, women, and youth groups to assess the impact of rural electrification projects on livelihoods and economic activities.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants are expected to adopt recommendations aimed at strengthening regional rural electrification initiatives, attracting investment in renewable energy infrastructure, and enhancing parliamentary oversight of ECOWAS energy policies and programmes.
