ECOWAS Requires $5.2bn To Address Infrastructure Deficit, Says Commissioner

Published

2 years ago

March 28, 2024

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ECOWAS Requires $5.2bn To Address Infrastructure Deficit, Says Commissioner—-The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it requires about 5.2 billion dollars to address infrastructure deficit and achieve its core objectives of driving the subregion’s economic growth.

The ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization, Mr Sediko Douka, made this known while addressing a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.

He said that in order to curb these challenges, the subregion’s leaders had earlier approved the creation of an ECOWAS fund for the development and financing of the transport and energy sectors (FODETE).

Douka explained that the fund was dedicated to financing regional infrastructure, particularly in the transport and energy sectors, and financed by taxing member states’ main export resources like agriculture, oil and gas, natural minerals.

He described FODETE as a viable funding mechanism, which was expected to generate more than 350 million dollars annually, and would continue to grow over a projected 20-year period.

The Commissioner said that to address the numerous infrastructure challenges in West Africa, ECOWAS had implemented various regional electricity and energy programs and projects towards subregional economic integration and growth.

He said: “to address these challenges, ECOWAS set up specialized agencies in the field of energy, namely, the West African Power Pool (WAPP) in Cotonou, Benin.

“Others are the Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA) in Accra, Ghana, the Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) in Praia, Cape Verde, and the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA) in Abuja, Nigeria.

“The strategic objective of the WAPP is to integrate the operation of the Community’s national electricity grids into a unified regional electricity market, with a view to providing the citizens of ECOWAS Member States with a stable, regular, and reliable supply of electricity at a competitive cost in the medium and long term.”

According to him, to achieve this objective, WAPP promotes and develops electricity production and transmission facilities and equipment, and coordinates electricity trading among ECOWAS member states.

The Commissioner said that the WAPP investment program derived from the ECOWAS Master Plan for regional electricity production and transmission facilities, the current one being the 2019-2033 plan.

He said that ECOWAS also embarked on a Regional Electricity Access Project (ECOREAP) and Battery Energy Storage System (BEST) aimed at enhancing member states’ efforts in the field of electricity supply.

The project, he said, was to facilitate the connection to the electrical grid for 1.1 million households in nearly 600 localities, and financed by the World Bank with 225 million dollars, targeting 1,075 villages in Gambia, Guinea Bissau and Mali.

He said that ECOWAS also embarked on Regional Electricity Access Project (ECOREAP) and Battery Energy Storage System (BEST), aimed at enhancing member states’ efforts in the field of electricity supply.

“The project aims to increase electricity access for West African populations. It seeks to facilitate the connection to the electrical grid for 1.1 million households in nearly 600 localities.

“Financed by the World Bank with USD 225 million, the project covers Gambia, Guinea Bissau, and Mali, targeting 1,075 villages.

“The objectives of the project are to increase electricity access in Niger, Senegal and Mauritania and improve the capacity of the electricity system to ensure synchronous operation in the ECOWAS power system through energy storage equipment installation in Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, and Mali,” he said.

Douka said that ECOWAS also embarked on a Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP), which aimed to increase electricity access rates for households, commercial enterprises, and community institutions.

Financed by the World Bank with USD 338.7 million, he said it was being implemented in 19 countries, including the 15 ECOWAS member states, Chad, Cameroon, Mauritania, and the Central African Republic.

The Commissioner said that ECOWAS had also initiated regional electricity market in June 2018, with its implementation overseen by ERERA and WAPP.

He said that in the realm of renewable energies, several projects were underway with the objective of increasing energy capacity and access to electricity, particularly for rural populations.

“To date, 14 out of the 15 member states are interconnected. In fact, all 14 mainland countries of ECOWAS are interconnected.

“Only the 15th country, Cabo Verde, remains unconnected, which will soon be rectified through the implementation of a high-voltage submarine cable, with feasibility studies due to start shortly.

“Consequently, starting from 2024, electricity exchanges (both purchases and sales) will be possible, making tariffs more competitive and ensuring coverage of demand, which currently stands at only 60%.

“What’s interesting here is that all you need is enough independent energy producers to cover demand,” Douka added.

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2027 Elections: Atiku Abubakar Backs Consensus Candidate for African Democratic Congress, Keeps Primaries as Option

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18 hours ago

April 16, 2026

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2027 Elections: Atiku Abubakar Backs Consensus Candidate for African Democratic Congress, Keeps Primaries as Option—-Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will prioritise a consensus approach in selecting its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, but may conduct primaries if internal talks fail.

Speaking on a prime-time programme on Arise TV, Atiku explained that party leaders are working to avoid internal disputes by rallying around a single candidate through dialogue and agreement.

He expressed confidence that stakeholders would reach a common ground, noting that experienced politicians within the party understand the importance of unity.

According to him, the ADC is focused on strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, with members committed to managing differences without causing division.

Atiku also reiterated his willingness to support whoever emerges as the party’s flagbearer, regardless of the selection method.

He further stated that he is open to stepping aside for any aspirant, including Peter Obi, if they emerge as the preferred choice, emphasizing that unity within the party remains the top priority ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Liyel Imoke Urges Unity, Resilience at African Democratic Congress Convention

Published

2 days ago

April 14, 2026

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Liyel Imoke Urges Unity, Resilience at African Democratic Congress Convention—-Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Convention Committee, Sen. Liyel Imoke, on Tuesday, called party leaders and members to be united and resilient amid escalating political pressure.

Imoke said this while welcoming party leaders, delegates, coalition partners and Nigerians to the party’s 2026 convention held in Abuja.

While describing the gathering as a “defining moment,” he said that the convention represented not just a meeting but a convergence of purpose to rebuild Nigeria.

Imoke said that the coming together of members was deliberate, driven by urgent national needs and a shared understanding that unity and clarity of vision were essential.

He lamented what he termed the rising insecurity, erosion of rule of law, shrinking democratic space and increasing cost of living, calling for decisive action.

“These realities are difficult but also clarifying, compelling us to define precisely the kind of country we want to build for present and future generations,” he said.

Imoke noted that preparations for the convention were marked by significant challenges, including legal battles and attempts to deny the party access to venues.

“Even as recently as last night, there were efforts to pressure the venue owners to cancel our reservation but despite everything, we are here,” he stated.

Imoke said that the resilience demonstrated by party leaders and members in overcoming obstacles reflected a deep commitment to the party’s ideals and national transformation.

He commended members for working tirelessly, often under difficult conditions, improvising when necessary and ensuring that all arrangements for the convention were successfully executed.

The former Cross River governor said the spirit of sacrifice was evident as some leaders contributed personal resources, describing the gesture as unprecedented in Nigeria’s political landscape.

“This spirit is instructive and speaks to what we are becoming as a party committed to genuine change and national renewal,” he added.

He said that each challenge faced had strengthened unity within the party, reinforcing the belief that ADC represented a credible pathway to Nigeria’s future.

Imoke, therefore, urged delegates to engage thoughtfully, make wise decisions and act in ways that would reflect the trust and expectations of Nigerians.

He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to collective action, team work and purposeful leadership, aimed at ensuring that Nigeria worked again for all.

Imoke expressed optimism that the convention would further strengthen the party’s resolve to deliver meaningful change and sustainable national development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those present at the convention included: the Chinese, British and Norwegian envoys, ADC leaders and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

Others were: the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, former Governors Aminu Tambuwal, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Sen. Dino Melaye.

Also former National Chairman of ADC, Raph Nwosu, former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Mr Abubakar Malami and Sen. Ireti Kingibe were in attendance.

The national convention equally featured a former governor of Ebonyi, Dr Sam Egwu, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen and a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, among others.

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