“West Africa Takes Giant Leap Towards Regional Electricity Integration with Wamkawa Interconnection”
"West Africa Takes Giant Leap Towards Regional Electricity Integration with Wamkawa Interconnection"
“West Africa Takes Giant Leap Towards Regional Electricity Integration with Wamkawa Interconnection”
The World Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Wamkawa Interconnection Project, a crucial step towards deepening regional electricity trade and integration in West Africa. The project, which is part of the Multi-Phase Programmatic Approach (MPA), aims to deliver reliable electricity to millions of people across the region.
Maame Tabuah Ankoh, Senior Energy/Infrastructure Specialist at the World Bank, expressed her gratitude to the governments of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, as well as the West African Power Pool (WAPP) Secretariat, for their leadership and collaboration on the project. The project has been in development for some time, and the World Bank Board approved it in January.
The project is expected to have a significant impact on the region, strengthening cross-border collaborations and regional integration, delivering reliable electricity to millions of people, and supporting economic growth and opportunity. The World Bank’s commitment to the project is evident in its pledge to work closely with the governments of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, as well as WAPP and other stakeholders, to ensure the project’s success.
To keep the project on track, two key steps remain: establishing a Joint Interstate Committee within three months of the project effective date and setting up a Joint Technical Steering Committee within two weeks after the institutionalization of the Joint Interstate Committee. These structures are critical to ensuring a smooth and timely execution of the project.
The Wamkawa Interconnection Project is a significant step towards deepening regional electricity trade and integration in West Africa, enabling the region to harness its energy resources more efficiently and promoting economic growth and development. The World Bank’s support for the project is a testament to its commitment to helping West Africa achieve its energy goals and unlock its economic potential.
Story by Fada Amakye from Daily Sun online
