Accra: The Governments of Ghana and C´te d'Ivoire have formalized their joint commitment to regional energy cooperation with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance the 330 kilo-volts Interconnection Project between the two countries. This pact marks a major milestone in West Africa's journey towards a unified electricity market, with the interconnection line between C´te d'Ivoire and Ghana estimated to cost 173.7 million US dollars.
According to Ghana News Agency, the agreement took center stage at a high-level Ministerial Committee Meeting on the West Africa Power Pool (WAPP) 330 kv Double Circuit C´te d'Ivoire - Ghana Interconnection Reinforcement Project. The MoU establishes two core institutional mechanisms: a Joint Technical Steering Committee led by the Chief Executives of Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) and C´te d'Ivoire CI-Energies, and an Interstate Committee co-chaired by ministers from both nations.
Speaking at the event in Accra on Friday, Mr. Richard Gyan-Mensah, the Deputy Minister of Energy and Green Transition, stated that the initiative aims to improve grid stability, enhance operational reliability, and provide a robust platform for power exchanges within the WAPP regional market. He emphasized that the two core institutional mechanisms would ensure effective coordination, accountability, and transparency as they moved into the next phase of implementation.
The deputy minister highlighted the project as a reflection of the deepening cooperation between Ghana and C´te d'Ivoire and the shared vision of both governments to create a resilient and integrated regional energy system. He noted that it demonstrates their commitment to achieving the broader goals of ECOWAS energy policy and the WAPP Master Plan.
Mr. Gyan-Mensah also expressed Ghana's Government full support for the cooperative framework, prepared to offer expertise, resources, and institutional backing to guarantee the project's prompt and successful implementation. He emphasized that collective efforts would shape effective policies, ensuring that the energy sectors of both countries and the broader region remain resilient and sustainable for future generations.
Mr. Jean-Baptist Aka Kadjo, the Deputy Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, Republic of Ivory Coast, assured C´te d'Ivoire's full commitment and determination to work with diligence, transparency, and a spirit of partnership to achieve their goals quickly. He conveyed confidence in overcoming challenges and making significant progress for the benefit of the people involved.
Mr. Abdoulaye DIA, Secretary General, WAPP, stated that the project was identified as a priority in the ECOWAS Master Plan for the Development of Regional Generation and Transmission Facilities for 2019-2033. He noted that the plan was adopted by the Conference of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS on December 22, 2018, during its 54th Ordinary Session held in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Secretary General emphasized that the signing of the MoU was a decisive step symbolizing the determination of Ghana and C´te d'Ivoire to collaborate for a prosperous energy future, whose importance for the development of the regional electricity market could no longer be overstated. He announced that WAPP would, in the next 12 months, complete the full synchronization of all 14 ECOWAS countries into a single grid, launch the ECOWAS electricity market, and establish the Independent Operator responsible for this market.
