By Saminu Ibrahim
The Chairman of the Conseil International des Grands Reseaux Electriques (CIGRE) West Africa National Committee, Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, has highlighted key achievements recorded by the Committee, including an €88,700 grant secured for a project aimed at empowering young women with skills in solar energy and mini-grid technologies.
Abdulaziz disclosed this at the 7th Session of the General Assembly of the CIGRE West Africa National Committee held in Conakry, Guinea, on November 7, 2026.
He attributed the Committee’s progress to the collective commitment and active contributions of members towards building a stronger, more integrated and technically advanced regional power system.
Among the major achievements highlighted by the Chairman was the hosting of CIGRE Training Sessions and Study Committee meetings in Dakar, Senegal, in March 2026.
He also cited a joint project involving the Committee, VRA Academy and the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), which secured a grant of €88,700 from the CIGRE Fund for Innovation and Education.
According to him, the initiative is designed to equip young women with practical skills in solar energy and mini-grid technologies, describing it as a strategic investment in human capital development and the future of the West African power sector.
Abdulaziz noted that the achievements were particularly significant as the region prepares to advance into the second phase of the Regional Electricity Market, which seeks to establish an organised and competitive electricity market through the integration of national power systems into a unified regional grid operating at a common frequency.
He, however, expressed concern over the weak interconnection of the regional power system and limited reserve capacity, stressing the need to prioritise capacity building.
The Chairman maintained that capacity development should not be viewed merely as a technical requirement but as a strategic investment in power system security, improved utility performance and the successful implementation of the Regional Electricity Market.
On the sustainability of the Committee’s operations, Abdulaziz recalled resolutions adopted at the previous General Assembly in Lomé, Togo, on January 24, 2026, concerning the establishment of a pooled funding mechanism and a minimum annual operating budget of €213,940.
He urged members to take concrete steps towards implementing the resolutions to guarantee sustainable financing and continuity of the Committee’s programmes and activities.
Earlier, the Secretary General of the CIGRE West Africa National Committee, Mr. Abdoulaye DIA, described CIGRE, established in 1921, as the world’s leading platform for knowledge exchange and technical collaboration in power systems.
He disclosed that the organisation has National Committees in more than 90 countries and a global membership of over 15,000 professionals.
DIA explained that the West Africa National Committee, officially recognised by CIGRE International in August 2020, provides electricity utilities and industry professionals in the region with access to CIGRE’s extensive knowledge network, technical publications and the activities of its 16 Study Committees.
He urged delegates to participate actively in the General Assembly’s deliberations, emphasising the need to strengthen the Committee as a platform for professional development, technical knowledge sharing and the advancement of regional expertise.
Established in 2019 by electricity companies affiliated with the West African Power Pool (WAPP), the CIGRE West Africa National Committee was officially recognised by CIGRE International in August 2020.
The Committee’s mandate includes promoting knowledge sharing, strengthening technical capacity and showcasing West African expertise in power systems.
Its recognition as a regional National Committee also provides members with representation and voting rights within CIGRE, opportunities to nominate experts to technical committees, access to technical documents and publications, participation in calls for papers and opportunities to benefit from relevant funding initiatives.
The General Assembly brought together power sector experts from across West Africa and beyond to exchange knowledge, share experiences and strengthen professional networks towards advancing regional electricity cooperation.
