Expert urges West Africa to create unified energy market
West Africa could unlock a $3tn energy market if its 16 countries shift from isolated national systems to a connected regional market, according to Suleiman Yahyah, Chairman of Rosehill Group Limited Advisory Limited. Speaking at a major industry conference, Yahyah argued that harmonising infrastructure, regulations, and data standards is crucial for the region’s energy future. He highlighted that despite vast resources, West Africa still faces high rates of energy poverty and limited access to clean power. The proposed regional approach aims to accelerate market development and increase the region’s share of energy value.
TLDR
- Suleiman Yahyah called for West Africa to build an integrated regional energy market instead of operating as separate national markets.
- He suggested that common product specifications, shared data standards, and unified dispute resolution mechanisms are key to market growth.
- Yahyah estimated that about 45% of West Africa’s population lives in energy poverty, with 75% lacking access to clean power.
- He proposed that different countries specialise based on their strengths, with places like Senegal, Abidjan, Ghana, and Lagos playing strategic roles.
- The strategy aims to help West Africa attract global capital, improve energy access, and retain more value from its resources.
