By Stella Odueme
The Chairman of the Executive Board of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, has been unanimously re-elected for another three-year tenure.
The re-election took place during the 68th Meeting of the WAPP Executive Board, held in Lomé, Togo, on October 8 and 9, 2026, a statement said on Sunday.
In his remarks, Abdulaziz thanked members of the Executive Board for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to continue working with them to advance the objectives of WAPP and strengthen regional electricity cooperation.
He urged member utilities to embrace collective responsibility in building a viable regional electricity market, stressing that decisions taken at Executive Board meetings must improve WAPP’s capacity to address the energy needs of the West African region.
Abdulaziz recalled that the 67th Executive Board Meeting approved principles for the progressive establishment of the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO), while ensuring operational continuity through the transitional role of the WAPP Information and Coordination Centre (ICC).
He said the Board must ensure that the approved decisions are implemented within a sound legal, institutional and financial framework that safeguards the interests of WAPP and its member utilities.
The chairman emphasised that statutory contributions remained fundamental to WAPP’s autonomy and operational capacity.
“Statutory contributions are not a formality; they are the basis of WAPP’s autonomy and capacity to act,” he said.
He therefore called on member utilities to fulfil their financial obligations, while encouraging the Secretariat to sustain cost-reduction measures without compromising its essential functions.
On technical matters, Abdulaziz highlighted network synchronisation and the launch of the regional electricity market as key priorities requiring coordinated action.
He described network synchronisation as a major technical achievement that must be supported by coordinated system operations, appropriate security arrangements and adequate market readiness among participating utilities and stakeholders.
According to him, the regional electricity market can only achieve its objectives if supported by clearly defined rules, reliable data, credible financial mechanisms and independent, effective governance.
Earlier, the Secretary General of WAPP and Secretary of the Executive Board, Mr. Abdoulaye Dia, said the organisation had continued implementing guidelines on institutional strengthening and the progressive operationalisation of the ISMO since the 67th meeting.
Dia explained that the process involved functional and accounting unbundling, alongside an orderly transition that would enable the ICC to maintain operational continuity during Phase Two of the Regional Electricity Market.
He noted that the progress recorded by WAPP and its growing institutional visibility had attracted new partnerships.
The Secretary General reaffirmed the Secretariat’s commitment to developing an integrated, reliable and competitive regional electricity system ahead of the planned launch of the second phase of the regional market early next year.
On member contributions and the Pool’s 2025 financial statements, Dia underscored the importance of settling outstanding financial obligations, noting that regular funding, rigorous financial management and collective discipline were essential to WAPP’s credibility and service delivery.
The meeting also considered a restructuring study on the operationalisation of the ISMO, describing the initiative as consistent with best practices and necessary to mitigate political interference as the regional electricity market evolves.
The Board further adopted the Charter of the Forum for Women in Energy in West Africa and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Millennium Challenge Account Côte d’Ivoire, among other decisions.
The 68th meeting also welcomed new representatives of member utilities to the Executive Board.
They included Mr. Lawrent Tossou, Managing Director of Société Béninoise d’Énergie Électrique (SBEE), representing the Republic of Benin; Mr. Amidou Traore, Director General of CI-ENERGIES; and Mr. Julien Sagna, representing Société de Gestion de l’Énergie de Manantali (SOGEM).
In addition, the Board reviewed membership applications from four utilities seeking to join the regional power pool.
The applicants are Konexa of Nigeria; SOGESART (Société de Gestion de l’Énergie de Sambangalou et du Réseau de Transport d’Électricité) of Senegal; SOGEOH (Société de Gestion de l’Énergie des Ouvrages du Haut Bassin du Fleuve Sénégal); and HOLDEN–Niger SARL, an independent power producer from the Republic of Niger.
The four applications are expected to be ratified at the WAPP General Assembly scheduled to hold before the end of 2026.