The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)‑backed Regional Electricity Access Project (REAP), funded with $225 million by the World Bank, has supplied power to almost 500,000 individuals in 490 communities across The Gambia, Guinea‑Bissau and Mali, officials reported at the final steering‑committee session held in Abuja on Tuesday.
What progress has the project recorded?
- The initiative has extended electricity networks to nearly half a million people, marking a significant stride toward the bloc’s energy‑integration goals.
- Implementation faced setbacks from the COVID‑19 pandemic and institutional disruptions, yet the overall rollout remained on track.
- Arkadius Koumoin, Director of Energy and Mines at the ECOWAS Commission and chair of the steering committee, said, “The true measure of success will be the number of households that are reliably connected, not merely the completion of construction activities.”
Who are the key stakeholders?
Representatives from the three beneficiary countries reaffirmed their commitment to finish pending tasks. Gambia’s National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) Managing Director Gallo Saidy, Guinea‑Bissau’s Energy Ministry delegate Pedro Jeus de Oliveira, and Mali’s National Director of Energy Oussouby Mary dit Ousmane Diarra all pledged to support the remaining work.
Why is an extension requested?
Mali has formally asked for additional time to wrap up its outstanding activities, emphasizing the need to close implementation gaps before the project’s official termination.
The meeting served as a platform for the participating states and the ECOWAS Commission to agree on the final actions required to cement the gains achieved and to guarantee that beneficiaries continue to enjoy dependable electricity supply.
Through REAP, the regional bloc advances its energy‑integration agenda and the broader objectives of ECOWAS Vision 2050, aiming to turn large‑scale infrastructure investments into tangible improvements in the daily lives of West African citizens.