The ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum (ESEF) has entered into a partnership with the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) to partner with and support the investment and policy initiatives of the ECOWAS member states to facilitate investment in the regional renewable energy sector and provide energy solutions.
The executive director of ECREEE, Francis Sempore, disclosed this during the closing ceremony of the ESEF programme in Abuja.
Sempore stressed that ESEF is a platform for improving the policy and regulatory landscape for private sector investment through engagement between ECOWAS’ policymakers, regional and international private sector players and financial institutions.
One of the objectives of the ESEF is to promote cooperation and partnership to accelerate the development of a viable regional electricity market
“During this event, we were able to get some commitment to partners and we also made some commitment to partners to increase energy access, to increase our efforts so we can achieve our objective in terms of energy access, working with ECOWAS member states and working with technical partners so that we can make access to energy a reality for the citizens of ECOWAS.
“We even exceeded our expectations in terms of attendance. We will like to thank the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for their hospitality. We were happy to be here and everything went wait beyond our expectations,” Sempore said. He said Cape Verde will host the 2023 ESEF.
While recognising the awardees during the closing ceremony earlier, the Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu disclosed that the convergence of guests to Nigeria has created room for friendship.
“I believe you will agree with me [that] this is how friendship is started and I also believe that a lot of friendship has started with this party which we started yesterday. Before that, on your arrival, I can see from your faces that you have enjoyed staying with us.
“We have tried our best as a country and, as a people to welcome you to Nigeria and we don’t know to what extent you have enjoyed our hospitality but we have tried our best to ensure that we provide all the necessary things that will make you comfortable.
“By next year we will go to Cape Verde to reunite again. It is going to be a reunion in Cape Verde.”
