West Africa’s leading energy policymakers, financiers, and industry figures are set to convene in Accra for the West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WAECS) from 2–3 December 2025. The Summit, hosted under the patronage of Ghana’s Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, aims to deepen cooperation across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and mobilise finance towards a resilient, integrated clean energy future for the region.
This year’s edition, themed “Building Regional Resilience”, will be supported by the African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI) as Lead Sponsor, joined by Endeavour Energy and Denham Capital. Their participation underscores a growing commitment among African and global partners to invest in sustainable, regionally interconnected energy systems that enhance both energy access and economic growth.
ATIDI, a pan-African multilateral insurer providing credit and political risk cover, currently holds a gross exposure of approximately USD 8.9 billion across key sectors. Through its Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF)—a blended finance mechanism designed to de-risk Independent Power Producers (IPPs)—ATIDI has supported projects such as the 42MW Sokodé solar PV plant in Togo, advancing investor confidence and local ownership in renewable energy ventures.
According to Aliyu Alhassan Yahaya, RLSF Underwriter at ATIDI, the institution is committed to “supporting investments that not only advance energy access but also drive inclusive economic growth.” This approach aligns with a broader African movement to embed climate-conscious growth strategies within regional integration frameworks, shifting the discourse from dependency models to one centred on African agency and innovation.
The 2025 Summit will offer a platform for high-level dialogue on renewable energy development, gas-to-power initiatives, regional interconnectivity, and the digitalisation of energy infrastructure. The discussions will extend to strategies for financing and de-risking clean energy projects, strengthening regional power trade, and advancing private sector participation in both on-grid and off-grid markets. Emphasis will also be placed on how innovation, digital technologies, and youth inclusion can transform Africa’s energy landscape.
Ghana, through its Energy Transition Framework, has charted an ambitious pathway towards net-zero emissions by 2070, prioritising solar, efficiency, and cleaner generation technologies. Natural gas continues to play a transitional role as the country modernises its grid and enhances cross-border energy exchange. These efforts mirror similar initiatives across Southern Africa, where countries are pursuing diversified, integrated energy strategies to drive industrialisation and equitable growth.
H.E. John Abdulai Jinapor, Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering collaboration:
“Ghana is committed to regional energy cooperation, sustainable development, and a just energy transition, so we are honoured to host the West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit,” he said.
The Summit will gather an influential line-up of leaders including H.E. Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President of Liberia; H.E. Dr. Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister for Solid Minerals Development; H.E. Nani Juwara, Gambia’s Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines; and H.E. Biodun Ogunleye, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Lagos State, among others. Key institutional figures such as Edward Obeng-Kenzo, Acting CEO of Ghana’s Volta River Authority (VRA), and Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, Managing Director and CEO of Nigeria’s Transmission Company (TCN), will also take part.
Representatives from Gridworks Partners, Cenpower Generation, Wärtsilä Marine & Power Services Nigeria, SEforALL, Stanbic Bank Ghana, Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), and Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) will join the discourse, contributing technical and financial perspectives on accelerating Africa’s clean energy transformation.
Following the Summit, YES! On The Road Ghana will be held from 3–4 December 2025. The youth-oriented initiative complements Ghana’s energy transition agenda by fostering mentorship, skills development, and innovation among Africa’s emerging energy professionals.
Across West Africa, the conversation around energy transition is evolving beyond resource extraction toward regional cooperation and sustainability-driven industrialisation. Initiatives such as WAECS illustrate a shift from externally imposed frameworks to homegrown strategies that reflect Africa’s diverse realities, emphasising resilience, equity, and collective agency in shaping the continent’s energy future.
