By: Staff Writer
Journalists from across West Africa and the Sahel region have gathered in Lomé for the third Regional Sensitization Workshop of the Regional Off-grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP) Journalists Network.
The two-day event, organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), aims to enhance media engagement and raise awareness of efforts to increase access to renewable energy in the region.
Rural communities in most West African and Sahelian countries face severe energy poverty, with over 70 percent estimated to lack electricity access. Access to energy is widely recognized as critical for achieving sustainable development and reducing poverty.
“Solar is one of the foremost areas to explore in the provision of sustainable electricity services, achieving universal access, and enhancing electricity accessibility for households, schools, and clinics,” said Deweh E. Gray, Resident Representative of the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Commission in Togo, at the workshop’s opening.
ROGEAP, implemented in 19 countries by ECOWAS in partnership with the West African Development Bank (BOAD) and funded by the World Bank, the Clean Technology Fund, and the Netherlands Government, seeks to expand electricity access using modern, stand-alone solar technology through a harmonized regional approach.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Tchapo Singo, Togo’s Director General for Energy, highlighted the importance of media engagement.
“This workshop is expected to help you stay in touch with the project and the progress made so far,” he said.
Project Coordinator Ehadj Sylla outlined key achievements, including the training of solar energy experts, the assessment of tax waivers on solar PV products across participating countries, and pilot initiatives introducing solar power to health and education institutions in Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
The workshop is designed to strengthen collaboration between journalists and BOAD, review the Project Fiduciary Management framework, and provide recommendations to enhance project communications.
By the end of the training, journalists are expected to gain a deeper understanding of ROGEAP’s activities and impact, while promoting wider visibility of renewable energy efforts in West Africa.
