Spain’s AECID Chief Visits ECREEE, Pledged Stronger Commitment to Power West Africa’s Green Future.
By Raymond Enoch
In a significant diplomatic engagement that underscores Spain’s continued commitment to West Africa’s sustainable development, Mr. Antón Leis García, Director of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), paid an official visit to the headquarters of the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) in Praia, Cabo Verde.
The visit was marked by high-level exchanges focused on expanding regional cooperation, enhancing energy access, and deepening investments in renewable and efficient energy solutions across the ECOWAS region.
Welcomed by Mr. Francis Sempore, Executive Director of ECREEE, the AECID chief was given an in-depth briefing on the Centre’s strategic mission and wide-ranging impact. Since its establishment in 2010, ECREEE has emerged as a regional powerhouse in promoting sustainable energy initiatives—from clean cooking technologies and gender-inclusive energy access to pioneering work on the water-energy-food nexus and circular economy models.
“AECID has been a steadfast ally in our journey,” said Mr. Sempore. “Their technical and financial support over the years has allowed ECREEE to transform regional ambitions into measurable outcomes. The visit of Mr. Leis García is not just symbolic; it’s a reaffirmation of our shared vision.”
During the visit, Mr. Leis García praised the tangible results delivered by ECREEE’s initiatives and emphasized Spain’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the ECOWAS Commission. He lauded ECREEE’s role as a key regional institution capable of implementing impactful, locally driven solutions to address pressing energy challenges.
“The ECOWAS region remains a strategic priority for Spain,” said Mr. Leis García. “We are proud of the enduring partnership with ECREEE. Our collaboration has proven that working with specialized, locally embedded agencies can bring about sustainable and scalable development outcomes.”
High on the agenda were discussions on the new AECID-ECOWAS cooperation programme, which aims to scale up joint efforts to develop renewable energy and energy efficiency investment projects in the region. The programme is expected to leverage ECREEE’s technical capacity and regional mandate to drive inclusive, low-carbon economic growth across West Africa.
The visit culminated in a renewed pledge to enhance collaboration around clean energy transitions and resilience-building, reinforcing the longstanding alliance between Spain and ECOWAS through the lens of sustainable energy.
This engagement comes at a critical time when the global south is rallying for greater equity in energy access and climate action. For ECREEE and AECID, the message was clear: strong partnerships remain essential to lighting up West Africa’s path to a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient future.
