ECOWAS, EUROPEAN UNION, AND GIZ MARKS THE OFFICIAL COMMENCEMENT OF THE REGIONAL ENERGY GOVERNANCE AND INFORMATION SYSTEM IN WEST AFRICA (REGIS-WA)

The ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, convened a two-day Kick-off Workshop for the implementation of the Regional Energy Governance and Information System in West Africa (REGIS-WA), holding from September 29th to 30th, 2026, in Abuja, Nigeria.

This REGIS-WA kick-off workshop marks a decisive step towards harmonizing regional energy governance, reinforcing data architecture, and accelerating cross-border clean energy integration across West Africa. The project implemented under the Directorate of Energy and Mines, brings together Senior Representatives from ECOWAS Member states Ministries in-charge of Energy and key regional institutions, including the West African Power Pool (WAPP), the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), to establish the strategic and operational roadmap for the initiative.

Delivering the keynote address virtually, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization; His Excellency Hon. Amin Amidu SULEMANI, highlighted how REGIS-WA aligns with regional and global development frameworks and the revised ECOWAS treaty. He also emphasised how the project comes at a particularly opportune time, as it will contribute to achieving strategic objectives of Regional updated Energy Policy through development and implementation of national action plans by ECOWAS Member States, as well as consolidation of ECOWAS Energy Information System (EIS), an essential tool for energy statistics and informed decision-making. ‘‘ECOWAS ambition for the energy sector cannot be achieved without strong, transparent and data-driven energy governance” he said.