ECREEE established the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum (ESEF) in 2016 to facilitate partnerships and identify ways to support investment and policy initiatives of the ECOWAS Member States. The Forum is a demand-driven and result-oriented event, which aims to facilitate investments and foster concrete progress in attainment of the region’s sustainable energy targets. ESEF is also a platform for improving the policy and regulatory landscape for private sector investment through engagement between ECOWAS policy-makers, regional and international private sector players, and financial institutions.

Within eight years, ESEF has established itself as the “go-to” rendezvous for energy stakeholders in West Africa, bringing together over 500 stakeholders each year, including Presidents, Prime Ministers, Ministers and leaders of renowned developmental organizations, finance institutions and private sector in the energy and climate sector.

The Forum serves as a critical platform for government representatives, international organizations, private sector leaders, academia, civil society, and innovators to engage in meaningful discussions and share their expertise on pressing energy-related challenges facing the region. With a focus on driving innovation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, the event is designed to shape the energy landscape in West Africa for years to come. The insights and perspectives of prominent experts have inspired discussions that lead to actionable strategies for sustainable energy development in the ECOWAS region.

The objectives of ESEF aligns with the 2023-2027 ECREEE’s Strategic Plan, which seeks to improve collaboration with local, regional, and international stakeholders, to advance sustainable energy development, towards meeting the energy needs of the ECOWAS Member States. The Forum serves as a platform to showcase the collective commitment of the ECOWAS Member States to transition to cleaner, more accessible, and efficient energy systems. This endeavour closely aligns with the global goals outlined in the Paris Agreement and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 on access to : affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern clean energy for all.

The main objectives of ESEF are to:

• Foster concrete progress in the attainment of the ECOWAS region’s sustainable energy targets.
• Showcase and facilitate investment opportunities in the ECOWAs region’s sustainable energy sector.
• Provide a platform for networking and improving the policy and regulatory landscape for private sector investment through engagement between ECOWAS policy makers, regional and international private sector players, and financial institutions.
• Promote cooperation and partnerships to accelerate the development of a viable regional electricity market.

Completed

• The ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Week began in 2016 and formally transformed into the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum in 2017. Previous editions of ESEF have been successfully organized in Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cabo Verde, bringing together over 4,000 stakeholders over the years, including Heads of States, Ministers, heads of renowned developmental organizations, finance institutions and private sector in the energy and climate sectors.
• ECOWAS SUSTAINABLE ENERGY WEEK (ESEW2016), 17 – 19 October 2016, Accra, Ghana
• ECOWAS SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FORUM (ESEF2017), 11-13 October 2017, Dakar, Senegal
• ECOWAS SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FORUM (ESEF2018), 13-15 November 2018, Dakar, Senegal
• ECOWAS SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FORUM (ESEF2019) 22-24 October 2019, Accra, Ghana
• ECOWAS SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FORUM (ESEF2020), 24-26 November 2020, Virtual
• ECOWAS SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FORUM (ESEF2021) 7-9 December 2021, Virtual
• ECOWAS SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FORUM (ESEF2020), 31 October – 1 November 2022, Abuja, Nigeria
• ECOWAS SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FORUM (ESEF2023), 12-13 October 2023, Praia, Cabo Verde

Ongoing

• Preparations are underway to organise the 9th Edition of the Forum, ESEF 2024. Further details will be provided soon.

The Forum aims to:

• Create a conducive enabling environment for the uptake of clean energy technologies and a robust sustainable energy market that ensures that the regional sustainable energy targets are attained by 2030.
• Showcase opportunities for implementation of game-changing projects that will speed up the development of a viable market for sustainable energy solutions in ECOWAS Member States.
• Support the diversification of the ECOWAS region’s energy resource availability, improved energy security and access, based on low-carbon energy technologies.

ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum (ESEF)