ECOWAS Parliament Meets on Rural Electrification
ECOWAS Parliament gathers in Dakar to explore renewable energy strategies and improve electricity access across rural communities.
The ECOWAS Parliament will hold a five-day meeting in Dakar, Senegal, to advance renewable energy solutions for rural communities.
Scheduled for June 15 to 19, 2026, the gathering will bring together parliamentarians, government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, civil society groups and energy experts. The meeting aims to strengthen rural electrification in West Africa and expand access to reliable, sustainable power in underserved areas.
According to a statement by the Chief Communication Officer of the ECOWAS Parliament, Uchenna Duru-Nwaotule, the event will focus on the theme, “Harnessing Renewable Energy for Rural Electrification and Empowerment of Rural Economies in the ECOWAS Region: The Role of the ECOWAS Parliament.”
The programme is being organised jointly by the Parliament’s Committee on Energy and Mines, Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, and Committee on Infrastructure under the Sixth Legislature. Discussions will centre on practical approaches to improving renewable energy in West Africa and supporting economic growth in rural communities.
The Parliament noted that millions of people across the region still lack dependable electricity despite progress made in recent years. It added that poor power supply continues to affect agriculture, healthcare, education, digital access and wider economic development.
As part of its long-term goals, ECOWAS aims to achieve universal access to affordable and sustainable energy by 2030. The meeting will explore how parliamentary engagement can support policies and oversight needed to reach that target while strengthening rural electrification in West Africa.
Participants will examine decentralised energy technologies such as solar mini-grids, hybrid systems and stand-alone solar installations. They will also assess the region’s solar and hydropower potential and discuss ways to increase investment in renewable energy infrastructure.
Lawmakers will visit a renewable energy project in Senegal to see firsthand how rural electrification in West Africa is improving livelihoods and supporting local economies. The meeting is expected to conclude with recommendations aimed at boosting investment, expanding energy access and enhancing oversight of regional energy policies.
How important do you think renewable energy is to accelerating development in rural West African communities?
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