Strengthening Partnerships: USAID Engages with WAPP on Development Initiatives

In a bid to reinforce collaboration and assess progress of activities, the West African Power Pool (WAPP) welcomed a delegation from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on February 1, 2024. at WAPP Secretariat in Abomey-Calavi, Benin.

The USAID West Africa Team, represented by Michael Oppong-Adjei (Programme Management Specialist-Energy & Infrastructure, Regional Economic Growth Office, Accra) and Nohemi Voglozin (Economic Growth & Private Sector Specialist, USAID Benin), engaged in discussions aimed at reviewing WAPP’s performance under Implementation Letter (IL) #3, spanning the period 2010 to 2023.

The meeting served as a platform to highlight key achievements, lessons learned, and challenges encountered during the implementation phase. Additionally, WAPP seized the opportunity to present a new set of activities under the Public International Organization Grant mechanism. Collaborative discussions ensued to outline and agree upon the selection of activities for the upcoming five-year phase of partnership.

Wrapping up the visit, the USAID team embarked on a comprehensive tour of the WAPP electricity Market room and the Regional Grid monitory. This tour provided valuable insights into WAPP's pivotal role in coordinating and managing the West Africa Electricity Market, demonstrating the organization's commitment to driving regional energy integration and development.

The engagement between WAPP and USAID underscores the importance of strategic partnerships in advancing sustainable development goals across West Africa. As both entities continue to work hand in hand, the prospects for enhancing energy access, promoting economic growth, and fostering regional cooperation remain promising.