19th WAPP GA- Joint Meeting Of WAPP Organizational Committees

On Monday, November 25, 2024, power experts from the West African electricity sector convened in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire’s economic capital, at the Radisson Blu Hotel for the 19th Session of the WAPP General Assembly.

The morning session was marked by the official opening ceremony of the five (5) WAPP Organizational Committees' meetings; the Finance Committee, the Engineering and Operating Committee, the Distribution and Commercialization Committee, the Strategic Planning and Environmental Committee and the Human Resource and Governance Committee. These committees are integral to the governance structure of the WAPP organization. The Committees individually reviewed the activities, progress and challenges of the reporting year and on Tuesday, the 26th November 2024, consolidated their reports and recommendations for the approval of the 63rd Meeting of the WAPP Executive Board scheduled for 27th November 2024.

Official Welcome by CI-ENERGIES

During the opening ceremony, Mr. Noumory Sidibé, Director General of CI-ENERGIES, delivered a welcome address. In his speech, he emphasized the strategic significance of the 19th session towards the development of a competitive and resilient regional electricity market in West Africa.

Mr. Sidibé specifically highlighted three priority areas:

1. Regional market synchronization, essential ensuring optimal operational efficiency.
2. Electric grid interconnection, to facilitate improved distribution and expanded access to electricity across subregion.
3. Autonomy of WAPP members, crucial sustainable and independent market management.

He also commended the commitment of the committee members and encouraged them to continue their dedicated efforts to achieve the organization's goals.

Speech by the Interim Secretary General of WAPP
In his opening speech, Eng. Abdulkadir Nazif, Interim Secretary General of WAPP reiterated the central role of this General Assembly in the transformation of the energy sector in West Africa. He highlighted progress made in several strategic areas, mainly:

1. Regional interconnection projects, which enhance cross-border electricity trade.
2. Harmonization of regulatory frameworks, crucial ensuring market coherence.
3. Development of key partnerships, aimed at fostering innovation, stabilizing, encouraging investments in the int and energy sector.

He further underscored the importance of collaboration among member states, regional institutions, and international partners while reaffirming WAPP's ambition to build a unified electricity market. The WAPP vision will not only address the region's energy challenges but also serves as a catalyst for economic growth and improved living conditions in West Africa, he emphasized.

Closing Ceremony and Fellowship
The two days intensive workshop concluded with a closing ceremony attended by the Director General of CIE and the Director General of the Compagnie Ivoirienne d'Électricité (CIE) M. Ahmadou BAKAYOKO. The evening ended on a celebratory note with a dinner hosted by CI- ENERGIES, recognizing the successful completion of this critical meetings for WAPP.

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