WAPP Marks 20 Years of Power Integration, Admits Four New Members in Lomé By Raymond Enoch
The West African Power Pool (WAPP) on Saturday 31st January 2026, reached a major institutional milestone as it convened its 20th General Assembly in Lomé, Togo, reinforcing its drive for regional energy integration while welcoming four new members into its growing fold.
The landmark session, held at the iconic Hôtel 2 Février, brought together senior executives and key stakeholders from power utilities and energy institutions across West Africa, underscoring the strategic importance of electricity cooperation in the sub-region.
Opening the assembly, the Director General of the Compagnie Énergie Électrique du Togo (CEET), Mr. Débo-K’ mba Barandao, described the gathering as a defining moment for collective action in the power sector. He was followed by the Secretary General of WAPP, Mr. Abdoulaye Dia, who highlighted steady progress in regional power market development despite persistent infrastructure and financing challenges.
Chairman of the WAPP Executive Board, Eng. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening cross-border electricity trade, noting that deeper cooperation remains critical to closing West Africa’s energy access gap.
The General Assembly was formally declared open by the Minister of Mines and Energy Resources of the Republic of Togo, Mr. Robert Koffi Messan Eklo, who was represented by the Director General of Energy, Dr. Eng. Tchapo A. Singo.
In his address, the minister commended WAPP’s role in promoting energy security and economic growth, while urging member states to accelerate project implementation.
Beyond the ceremonial highlights, the session delivered substantive outcomes.
Delegates examined and adopted key governance and financial documents, including the report of the 19th General Assembly held in Abidjan in November 2024, the external auditor’s report on the 2024 financial statements, the Secretary General’s 2025 activity report, and recommendations arising from the 66th meeting of the Executive Council.
At the close of deliberations, members formally approved the 2024 financial statements and endorsed the 2025 activity report, providing a clear roadmap for WAPP’s operations in the year ahead.
The admission of four new members capped the historic meeting, signalling renewed confidence in WAPP’s mission to build an integrated, reliable and competitive regional electricity market for West Africa.
As the organisation enters its third decade, the Lomé assembly sent a strong message: regional power integration is no longer an aspiration, but an advancing reality.
