General News
WAPP Re-Elects Sule Abdulaziz For Fresh Three-Year Term, Seeks Stronger Regional Power Market
By Iyojo Ameh
The West African Power Pool (WAPP) has unanimously re-elected the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, as Chairman of its Executive Board for another three years.
The re-election took place at the 68th meeting of the WAPP Executive Board held in Lomé, Togo, on October 8 and 9, 2026.
Abdulaziz, while expressing appreciation to board members for renewing their confidence in his leadership, pledged to sustain efforts towards strengthening regional electricity cooperation and developing a viable power market across West Africa.
He urged member utilities to demonstrate greater commitment to collective decisions, stressing that the board must ensure its resolutions translate into practical measures that improve the region’s capacity to meet growing electricity demand.
The WAPP chairman also called for the implementation of decisions reached at the board’s 67th meeting on the gradual establishment of the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO).
He said the transition must be guided by sound legal, institutional and financial arrangements while preserving operational continuity through the transitional role of the WAPP Information and Coordination Centre (ICC).
Abdulaziz identified financial discipline among member utilities as critical to the organisation’s independence and effectiveness, urging members to fulfil their statutory financial obligations.
“Statutory contributions are not a formality; they are the basis of WAPP’s autonomy and capacity to act,” he said.
He added that the Secretariat should continue to pursue cost-saving measures without compromising essential operations.
On the regional electricity market, Abdulaziz highlighted network synchronisation and market readiness as major priorities, noting that technical progress must be supported by coordinated system operations and appropriate security arrangements.
He maintained that the regional market would only achieve its objectives if participants operated under clear rules, reliable data systems, credible financial mechanisms and effective independent governance.
Earlier, WAPP Secretary General and Secretary of the Executive Board, Abdoulaye Dia, said the organisation had continued implementing institutional reforms and measures towards operationalising the ISMO since the previous meeting.
Dia explained that the process involved functional and accounting unbundling, alongside a structured transition that would enable the ICC to maintain operational continuity during the second phase of the Regional Electricity Market.
He said the progress recorded by WAPP had improved its visibility and attracted new partnerships, adding that the Secretariat remained committed to building an integrated, reliable and competitive electricity system across West Africa.
According to him, the second phase of the regional electricity market is scheduled to commence in early 2027.
The meeting also reviewed outstanding financial contributions from member utilities and the WAPP’s 2025 financial statements.
Dia stressed that regular funding, sound financial management and collective discipline were necessary to maintain the organisation’s credibility and ensure effective service delivery.
As part of efforts to strengthen its institutional framework, the board considered a restructuring study on the operationalisation of the ISMO, which is intended to align the organisation with best practices and minimise the risk of political interference.
The board also adopted the Charter of the Forum for Women in Energy in West Africa and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Millennium Challenge Account Côte d’Ivoire.
New representatives of member utilities were also welcomed to the board. They include Lawrent Tossou, Managing Director of Société Béninoise d’Énergie Électrique (SBEE), representing Benin; Amidou Traore, Director General of CI-ENERGIES; and Julien Sagna, representing the Société de Gestion de l’Énergie de Manantali (SOGEM).
The board further considered membership applications from four utilities seeking to join the regional power pool.
The applicants are Konexa of Nigeria; SOGESART of Senegal; SOGEOH, which manages energy infrastructure associated with the upper Senegal River basin; and HOLDEN-Niger SARL, an independent power producer based in Niger.
Their applications are expected to be submitted for ratification at the WAPP General Assembly before the end of 2026.
The development was announced in a statement issued by the Management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria on October 11, 2026.
