Gambia to Host ESEF 2025: Showcasing West Africa’s Green Energy
The Gambia is set to host the second ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum (ESEF) 2025 from March 4 to 7. The announcement came at the 2024 forum in Cotonou, Benin, where The Gambia was selected as the next host nation.
Abdoulie Jobe, The Gambia’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy, expressed his enthusiasm for hosting the event. He reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which focuses on ensuring access to affordable and clean energy for all. The Gambia is striving to provide 90% of its citizens with access to electricity by 2025.
Renewable Energy and Access Commitments in West Africa
During the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum in Benin, West African nations committed to accelerating renewable energy development and enhancing energy access across the region. Sediko Douka, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization, underscored the urgent need for the region to intensify its efforts to provide affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all its citizens. He noted that renewables already make up 60% of West Africa’s energy mix, with 40% from hydropower and 20% from bioenergy.
Douka also emphasized the need to mobilize financial resources to achieve universal energy access by 2030, noting that only 54% of the region’s population currently has access to modern energy services.
Challenges and Opportunities in West Africa’s Energy Sector
The ECOWAS region has made significant strides 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 electricity, and 303 million are without clean cooking fuels. The region’s per capita energy consumption also remains the lowest globally.
To tackle these challenges, ECOWAS has launched several projects, including the Regional Off-Grid Electrification Project (ROGEP) and the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Facility (EREF), which fund numerous sustainable energy ventures in the region.
These initiatives are crucial for capitalizing on Africa’s growing solar market—projected to surge by 42% by 2025—and unlocking new opportunities for clean energy access and investment. West Africa has also inaugurated its first solar panel production facility, marking a significant step towards energy independence and green job creation.
Investment and Collaboration for Sustainable Energy in West Africa
The ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum 2025 aims to attract investment and foster collaboration among stakeholders to accelerate sustainable energy development in the region. The event will feature 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 importance of mobilizing financial resources and implementing innovative solutions to meet the region’s energy demands. He highlighted the private sector’s pivotal role in driving the energy transition and urged for greater investment in sustainable energy projects.
The ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum 2025 is set to be a vital platform for advancing the region’s energy transition and achieving its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 targets. By bringing together government officials, industry leaders, and development partners, the forum aims to encourage the collaboration and innovation needed to address the energy challenges the region faces. Ultimately, renewable energy projects in Africa are essential for transforming access to clean power across the continent.
