Gambia to Host ESEF 2025: Showcasing West Africa green energy
The second ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum (ESEF) 2025 will be hosted by Gambia from March 4 to 7 next year. This decision was reached at the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum 2024 in Cotonou, Benin, where Gambia was selected as the next host country.
Abdoulie Jobe, Gambia’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy, conveyed his enthusiasm for hosting the event. He also reiterated Gambia’s dedication to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which is centered on ensuring access to affordable and clean energy for all. Gambia is striving to provide 90% of its citizens with access to electricity by 2025, demonstrating its commitment to expanding energy access.
Renewable Energy and Energy Access Commitments in West Africa green energy
During the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum in Benin, West African nations committed to accelerating the pace of renewable energy development and enhancing energy access across the region. Sediko Douka, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization, underscored the critical need for the region to intensify its efforts to provide affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy solutions for all its citizens. He noted that renewables constitute 60% of West Africa’s energy mix, comprising 40% hydropower and 20% bioenergy.
Douka further emphasized the necessity of mobilizing financial resources to achieve universal energy access by the year 2030. He pointed out that currently, only 54% of the population in the region has access to modern energy services.
Challenges and Opportunities in Energy Sector for West Africa green energy
The ECOWAS region has witnessed considerable advancements in energy access, with the electricity access rate climbing from 18% in 2000 to 54% in 2022. Despite this progress, 177 million people still lack access to electricity, and 303 million people are without access to clean cooking fuels. Furthermore, the region’s per capita energy consumption remains the lowest globally.
To tackle these challenges, ECOWAS has initiated several projects, including the Regional Off-Grid Electrification Project (ROGEP) and the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Facility (EREF), which have provided funding for numerous sustainable energy ventures throughout the region. These initiatives are crucial as Africa’s solar market growth is projected to surge by 42% by 2025, unlocking clean energy access and investment opportunities. Moreover, West Africa has inaugurated its first solar panel production facility, marking a significant step towards energy independence and the creation of green jobs.
Investment and Collaboration for Sustainable West Africa green energy
The ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum 2025 is designed to attract investment and promote collaboration among various stakeholders to expedite sustainable energy development within the region. The forum will include panel discussions, workshops, and networking events to explore innovative solutions and share best practices for advancing renewable energy projects.
ECREEE Executive Director, Mahama Kappiah, stressed the significance of mobilizing financial resources and implementing innovative solutions to fulfill the region’s energy demands. He highlighted that the private sector plays a pivotal role in driving the energy transition and urged increased investment in sustainable energy projects.
The ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum 2025 is set to be a vital platform for furthering the region’s energy transition and achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 targets. By uniting government officials, industry leaders, and development partners, the forum aims to encourage collaboration and innovation to effectively address the energy challenges facing the region. Africa renewable energy projects are essential for transforming access to clean power across the continent.
