West Africa is taking a decisive step in its energy transition. With over 4,000 km of high-voltage lines already built and more than 3 million new connections between 2019 and 2025, regional electricity integration is becoming a true driver of growth, stability, and competitiveness.

An infrastructure connecting 15 countries

The West African Power Pool (WAPP) has connected the electricity grids of 15 ECOWAS countries through thousands of kilometers of transmission lines. This interconnection facilitates cross-border electricity flow, reduces dependence on costly national power plants, and improves security of supply.

According to data published as part of the regional program, nearly 8% of the electricity produced in West Africa is now traded cross-border, a level described as approaching European standards. This development marks a turning point for a region long plagued by fragmented grids and high energy costs.

Effects already visible on access to electricity

One of the most tangible impacts of this dynamic concerns the electrification of households and businesses. Between 2019 and 2025, more than 3 million people gained access to electricity in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia thanks to the expansion of transmission and distribution networks.

This progress demonstrates that regional integration is not limited to technical exchanges between electricity companies. It also translates into a tangible improvement in living conditions, greater energy availability for economic activities, and a greater capacity for states to reduce the access gap.

Stronger electricity companies

The other major effect of this interconnection concerns the financial health of national electricity companies. In Guinea-Bissau, the EAGB company went from a monthly deficit of approximately $1 million to a positive balance after importing Guinean hydroelectricity. In The Gambia, NAWEC returned to profitability thanks to a 42% reduction in its production costs.

Liberia and Sierra Leone also reduced their production costs by 10 to 20% thanks to electricity imports from Côte d’Ivoire via the CLSG network. For the World Bank, regional energy integration is therefore a cost-effective way to bridge supply gaps while improving the financial health of public operators.

Towards a regional market by 2026

The next announced step is the launch of the regional “day-ahead” market in 2026. This mechanism will allow electricity companies to purchase the energy they need for the following day at the best available price in the sub-region.

With this system, West Africa is moving closer to a true common electricity market. The WAPP and the regional regulatory authority are already working towards the full synchronization of the grids, while a first test of uninterrupted electricity flow was carried out at the end of 2025 across twelve West African countries.

A lever for employment and industrialization

Beyond infrastructure and public finances, the regional program has also generated a significant social impact. More than 52,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created in engineering, construction, logistics, and the operation of the electricity grid.

In the medium term, this energy integration could support industrialization, attract more investment, and reduce the costs that still hinder many West African economies. In other words, electricity is no longer just a matter of public service: it is becoming a strategic tool for economic transformation.

Conclusion

West Africa’s energy history is entering a new phase. The interconnection of networks, the rise of cross-border trade, improved access, and the prospect of a regional electricity market are shaping a more integrated and competitive future.

The challenge remains immense, but the direction is clear: to make energy a high-performing regional market that serves development, employment, and economic integration.