Nigeria, Benin, Niger, Others Pledge to Deliver on 913km West Africa Power Project

Members of the West Africa Power Pool (WAPP) project yesterday vowed to deliver on the 913-kilometre electricity project expected to span 14 West African countries.

The members include: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, The Gambia, Togo, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.

Chairman of WAPP, Sule Abdulaziz, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), while speaking at the 7th joint supervision committee meeting in Abuja, stated that the project would redefine the region’s energy landscape when completed.

The regional interconnection initiative, encompassing the construction of 880 km of 330 kV and 33 km of 225 kV high voltage transmission lines, Abdulaziz said, will catalyse efficient energy trade, encourage commercial exchange agreements, and bring electricity access to communities along the transmission line.

“It stands at the forefront of a multifaceted effort to break the shackles of energy poverty and elevate the living standards of our communities. Beyond being a paradigm shift on how we approach power generation and distribution. It is a lifeline for those living in areas with limited or no electricity access.

“This visionary initiative prioritises underserved regions, aiming to bridge the gap in electricity access. It's about bringing power to schools, clinics, and businesses that have long operated in the shadow of energy scarcity.

“The North Core Project is a beacon of hope for these communities, unlocking their full potential, and promising not only a reliable power supply but also a catalyst for socioeconomic progress,” he stated.

According to him, the goal is to ensure that the North Core Project delivers on its promise of reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity for the people of the region.

“It's a colossal task, but it's one that we are well-equipped to handle, armed with collective wisdom and a commitment to progress,” the TCN CEO added.

In his remarks, WAPP Secretary General, Siengui Ki, said the North Core Project had recorded significant progress, with the foundation, assembly, and lifting works for the lines having commenced, while fencing and levelling of substation sites were in progress.