The 21st ordinary general assembly of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) opened in Conakry, Guinea, on November 6, 2026, and concluded on November 7, 2026. The ceremony was presided over by Guinean Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah, alongside Energy Minister Laye Sékou Camara and representatives from Électricité de Guinée (EDG). The assembly's theme was "Consolidating the regional electricity market: a lever for resilience in West Africa." Discussions centered on electrical interconnections, cooperation among states, and establishing a regional electricity market.
Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah emphasized the crucial role of energy in African nations' economic and social development. He stated that electricity is essential for industrialization and improving living conditions. Bah noted that energy is the foundation of national development, conditioning the ability to produce, transform economies, create jobs, and improve living standards. He called for West African countries to strengthen energy solidarity by pooling resources and production capacities.
The Guinean Prime Minister outlined the country's ambitions, particularly through the Simandou 2040 program, and acknowledged the need for significant reforms in the energy sector. He mentioned the Kaléta and Souapiti dams as achievements and referenced the Koukoutamba and Sambangalou projects. Bah reaffirmed Guinea's commitment to constructing a more integrated and efficient West African energy space. Energy Minister Laye Sékou Camara highlighted Guinea's potential hydroelectric capacity, estimated at over 6,000 megawatts.
Minister Camara emphasized the importance of cooperation with neighboring countries, citing the benefits of interconnections in securing energy supply and reducing costs. He announced an agreement with the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (BIDC) to finance a 27-megawatt hydroelectric project and cooperation with the Organization for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS) for the Manantali-Koukoutamba power line. Camara urged member states to honor their financial contributions to WAPP.
WAPP Secretary-General Abdoulaye Dia praised Guinea's commitment to regional energy cooperation and reported on the interconnection of 15 member countries and synchronization of their networks on November 8, 2025. Dia announced plans to launch a regional electricity market in the first quarter of 2027, enabling competitive trading among member states. He stressed the need for national electricity companies to have sufficient resources to invest in production, transport, and distribution infrastructure.
Elhadj Gando Barry, Director-General of Électricité de Guinée (EDG-SA), welcomed delegates and emphasized the shared responsibility of ensuring reliable, accessible, and sustainable energy services for populations. He highlighted the importance of trust and collaboration among national electricity companies and encouraged participants to make concrete and applicable decisions during the assembly.
The assembly gathered delegations from ECOWAS member states, with participants discussing ways to consolidate the regional electricity market and address energy challenges in West Africa. The meeting aimed to foster cooperation and integration in the energy sector, promoting economic growth and improved living standards.
Key points
- The 21st WAPP General Assembly focused on developing a regional electricity market and enhancing energy integration in West Africa.
- Guinea's Energy Minister highlighted the country's significant hydroelectric potential and ongoing projects to boost energy production.
- The assembly agreed to launch a regional electricity market in 2027, enabling competitive trading among member states.
