Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz has been unanimously re-elected Chairman of the Executive Board of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) for another three-year term.
His re-election took place during the 68th WAPP Executive Board Meeting held in Lomé on October 8 and 9, 2026.
Expressing gratitude for the confidence placed in him, Abdulaziz pledged to work with member utilities and the Secretariat to strengthen WAPP and advance the development of a viable regional electricity market.
He urged utilities across West Africa to embrace collective responsibility, stressing that Board meetings must produce decisions capable of improving the region’s ability to meet growing energy demands.
A major focus of the meeting was the progressive establishment of the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO), following principles approved at the previous session.
Abdulaziz said the transition must be supported by strong legal, institutional and financial frameworks, while ensuring operational continuity through WAPP’s Information and Coordination Centre.
He also called on member utilities to settle outstanding statutory contributions, describing them as essential to WAPP’s autonomy and effectiveness.
“Statutory contributions are not a formality; they are the basis of WAPP’s autonomy and capacity to act,” he said.
The Chairman identified network synchronisation and the launch of the regional electricity market as two critical priorities.
He said synchronisation must be backed by coordinated system operations, adequate security measures and market readiness, while the regional market must be built on clear rules, reliable data, sound financial mechanisms and independent governance.
WAPP Secretary General Abdoulaye Dia said the organisation had continued implementing institutional-strengthening guidelines and preparing for the operationalisation of ISMO.
He reaffirmed the Secretariat’s commitment to delivering an integrated, reliable and competitive regional electricity system ahead of the second phase of the regional market, expected to begin early next year.
The Board also reviewed WAPP’s 2025 financial statements, the restructuring study for ISMO, and outstanding member contributions.
It adopted the Charter of the Forum for Women in Energy in West Africa and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Millennium Challenge Account Côte d’Ivoire.
Four utilities seeking admission into the power pool were also considered: Nigeria’s Konexa; Senegal’s SOGESART and SOGEOH; and Niger-based independent power producer HOLDEN– Niger SARL. Their membership is expected to be ratified at the WAPP General Assembly before the end of the year.
