The WAPP Secretary General, Mr Abdoulaye DIA, participated In The ECOWAS Statutory Meetings

Held in Freetown, Sierra Leone, from 16 to 19 July 2026, the meetings included the 96th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, held on 16 and 17 July 2026, and the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held on 19 July 2026.

During the Summit, the Heads of State and Government signed the Intergovernmental Agreement on the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP), a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening regional energy security, industrialization, economic integration and sustainable development in West Africa, in the same spirit as the West African Power Pool (WAPP).

This initiative, to be implemented in cooperation with the Kingdom of Morocco, seeks to improve regional connectivity, expand access to energy, stimulate investment and contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the ECOWAS Vision 2050.

ECOWAS also elected General Birame Diop of Senegal as President of the ECOWAS Commission for the 2026–2030 term. He will officially assume office on September 1, 2026.

General Diop brings extensive diplomatic, military and strategic expertise, which will enable him to provide strategic leadership in advancing regional integration and addressing the challenges facing the region. He previously served as Chief of the Defense Staff and Minister of Defense of Senegal, as well as Adviser to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Tribute was paid to the outgoing Management Team of the ECOWAS Commission, led by Dr Omar Alieu Touray, for their dedication and outstanding service to the Community despite the numerous challenges encountered over the past four years.

The Heads of State and Government also elected H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal, as the new Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government for a one-year term.

On 15 July 2026, Mr Dia paid working visits to the Directors General of the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), responsible for electricity distribution, and the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC), responsible for electricity generation and transmission.

During these visits, he held working both sessions focusing on the participation of both institutions in WAPP activities as members, as well as on the roadmap for the development of the regional electricity market.

The Secretary General was also received by His Excellency Mr Cyril A. Grant, Minister responsible for Energy.

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