By Stella Odueme
The West Africa National Committee of the Conseil International des Grands Réseaux Électriques (CIGRE) has highlighted key achievements recorded in 2026, while calling for sustainable funding and increased investment in technical capacity to strengthen the regional electricity sector.
The Chairman of the Committee, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, disclosed this at the 7th Session of the CIGRE West Africa National Committee General Assembly held in Conakry, a statement said on Saturday.
Abdulaziz attributed the Committee's progress to the commitment and contributions of its members, noting that their collective efforts had strengthened its capacity to promote regional cooperation and technical advancement in the power sector.
He identified the hosting of CIGRE training sessions and Study Committee meetings in Dakar in March 2026 as one of the major achievements recorded since the last General Assembly in Lomé on January 24.
He also highlighted a joint initiative involving the Committee, VRA Academy and NAPTIN, which attracted a grant of €88,700 from the CIGRE Fund for Innovation and Education.
The project is aimed at equipping young women with practical skills in solar energy and mini-grid technologies, an initiative he described as a strategic investment in human capital development and the future of the regional electricity industry.
The chairman said the achievements were coming at a critical period as West Africa prepares for the second phase of the Regional Electricity Market, which seeks to establish an organised and competitive electricity market through the integration of national power systems into a unified regional grid operating at a common frequency.
He, however, expressed concern over the weak interconnection of the regional power system and limited reserve capacity, stressing that capacity development was essential to improving system security, utility performance and the sustainability of the regional electricity market.
On the Committee's financial sustainability, Abdulaziz recalled the resolutions adopted at the Lomé General Assembly on establishing a pooled funding mechanism and a minimum annual operating budget of €213,940.
He urged members to take concrete steps towards implementing the resolutions to guarantee sustainable funding and ensure continuity of the Committee's programmes and activities.
Earlier, the Secretary General of the Committee, Mr Abdoulaye Dia, described CIGRE, established in 1921, as a leading global platform for knowledge exchange and technical collaboration in power systems.
He said the organisation operates National Committees in more than 90 countries, with a global membership exceeding 15,000 professionals.
Dia explained that the CIGRE West Africa National Committee, which was officially recognised by CIGRE International in August 2020, provides regional utilities and industry professionals access to a global network of technical expertise, publications and the organisation's 16 Study Committees.
He urged delegates to contribute actively to the General Assembly's deliberations, emphasising the need to strengthen the Committee as a platform for professional development, knowledge sharing and the advancement of regional technical expertise.
Established in 2019 by electricity companies affiliated with the West African Power Pool (WAPP), the Committee promotes technical cooperation, capacity development and the visibility of West African expertise in power systems.
Its recognition by CIGRE International provides members with representation and voting rights, opportunities to nominate experts to technical committees, access to technical publications, participation in calls for papers and eligibility for relevant funding opportunities.
The General Assembly brought together power sector professionals and experts from across West Africa and beyond to exchange knowledge, share experiences and strengthen professional collaboration towards the development of the region's electricity sector.