By Taibat Ummi Yakubu

West African countries are preparing for fresh discussions on cross-border electricity supply and the creation of a regional power market, as 60 electricity utilities converge on Guinea next month to review plans for improving energy cooperation across the subregion.

The discussions will take centre stage at the 21st General Assembly of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), scheduled for November 6 and 7, 2026, in Conakry, Guinea.

The meeting will bring together managing directors and chief executives of the 60 electricity utilities under WAPP to examine ongoing efforts to connect national power systems, expand electricity trading and address challenges affecting the region's energy sector.

Ahead of the General Assembly, WAPP will hold a coordination meeting with its technical and financial partners on November 5 to review ongoing projects and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders.

Key issues expected to feature at the gathering include the progress of priority cross-border transmission projects, the development of an integrated regional electricity network and the next steps towards establishing a common electricity market.

WAPP, a specialised institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), was established to encourage cooperation among electricity companies and promote an interconnected power system across West Africa.

Under the proposed regional electricity market, countries with surplus electricity generation would be able to supply nations experiencing shortages through cross-border transmission networks, subject to agreed trading arrangements and available infrastructure.

The initiative is expected to improve the utilisation of electricity generated across the region, strengthen energy cooperation and provide participating countries with additional options for addressing power supply challenges.

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However, questions remain over how quickly the proposed market can become fully operational, particularly as the announcement of the meeting did not disclose the specific transmission projects under review, their completion status or the volume of electricity currently exchanged between participating countries.

The outstanding technical, financial and regulatory challenges facing the regional electricity market are also expected to remain important considerations as countries work towards deeper integration.

For Nigeria, one of the major participants in West Africa's electricity network, the outcome of the discussions could have implications for electricity trading and regional power transmission.

Nevertheless, any improvement in domestic electricity supply through regional exchanges will depend on Nigeria's available generation capacity, transmission infrastructure, market regulations and the reliability of electricity systems across participating countries.

The Conakry gathering is also expected to provide an opportunity for WAPP members to assess the organisation's performance and establish strategic priorities for the coming years.

The General Assembly will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Conakry, with Électricité de Guinée (EDG-SA) serving as host alongside the WAPP General Secretariat.