EU and ECOWAS energy ministers meet in Senegal

Representatives of the EU and ministers of energy within the 15 member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have started meeting in Dakar, Senegal to address the energy needs of the countries. They are also reviewing progress made in the implementation of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) project.
ECOWAS would, through the meeting, explore the best means of implementing the Dakar 2003 Energy Protocol and how to utilize the protocol to facilitate trade and investment in the sub region.

The WAPP project is a regional power scheme involving Ghana, Chad and Nigeria towards addressing the energy needs of member states by providing other west African countries with access to cheaper sources of energy and ensuring the effective application of existing energy sources.
The EU is said to have committed approximately EUR 20 mm over a five-year period through the EU parliament to support developing countries by promoting sustainable development in the energy sector, withparticular emphasis on renewable energy and efficiency of programmes.

An ECOWAS statement indicated that the ministers would, among other things consider the reports and recommendations of earlier meetings on WAPP's project implementation.
They would also approve the budget for the take-off of the sub-regional energy initiative.