The managing director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Sule Abdulaziz, has been re-elected chairman of the executive board of the West African Power Pool for another three-year term.
Abdulaziz was re-elected at the board’s 68th meeting, held on October 8 and 9 in Lomé, Togo, according to a statement issued by TCN management in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Abdulaziz thanked board members for their confidence and pledged to continue working with them to advance regional electricity cooperation.
He urged member utilities to strengthen compliance with the organisation’s rules and financial obligations, saying effective governance and reliable funding were essential to the development of a regional electricity market.
Abdulaziz said the board’s decisions must be implemented within a sound legal, institutional and financial framework that safeguards the interests of the organisation and its members.
He stressed that contributions from member utilities were essential to maintaining the organisation’s independence and operational capacity. He also urged the secretariat to pursue cost-saving measures without compromising its core functions.
The chairman identified synchronisation of electricity networks and the launch of the regional electricity market as key priorities. He said successful integration would require coordinated system operations, appropriate security arrangements and the readiness of participating utilities and other stakeholders.
He added that the regional market would depend on clear operating rules, reliable data, sound financial arrangements and independent governance.
WAPP Secretary-General Abdoulaye Dia said the organisation had continued to implement measures to strengthen its institutions and advance plans for an Independent System and Market Operator.
The proposed operator is intended to support the development of the regional electricity market, while the WAPP Information and Coordination Centre maintains operational continuity during the transition.
Dia said the organisation had attracted new partnerships as its work progressed. He reaffirmed the secretariat’s commitment to building an integrated, reliable and competitive regional electricity system ahead of the planned launch of the market’s second phase in early 2027.
He also urged member utilities to settle outstanding contributions, saying predictable funding and sound financial management were essential to the organisation’s credibility and performance.
The board reviewed a study on the proposed system operator and adopted a charter for the Forum for Women in Energy in West Africa, alongside a memorandum of understanding with the Millennium Challenge Account Côte d’Ivoire.
It also considered membership applications from four utilities in the region, including Nigeria’s Konexa, Senegal’s SOGESART and SOGEOH, and Niger’s HOLDEN. The applications are expected to be submitted for ratification by the WAPP General Assembly before the end of 2026.
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