CESI Backs Key Agreement for West Africa’s Power Grid

CESI has successfully completed the drafting and revision of the Inter Grid Operator Agreement (IGOA) in collaboration with the WAPP Transitional Framework Taskforce. This crucial milestone was reached during our recent meeting in Cotonou, Benin, from March 10-13, 2025.

The drafting and revision process, which began a year ago, is now finalized. The next steps require each utility to develop a list of temporary non-compliances with the WAPP Grid Code requirements, which will be appended to the IGOA. The document is expected to be submitted for approval by the WAPP Board of Directors, followed by the process of legal enforcement. This marks a significant step toward establishing a robust legal and regulatory framework to support the safe and efficient interconnection of the West African power system.

The project was coordinated by Project Manager Fabio Riva, with essential technical support from Carlo Sabelli, legal expertise from Jian Bani, and strategic assistance from Africa Area Manager Simone Pasquini. We also greatly benefited from the contributions of Silvia Corigliano, Luca Migliorini, Giulia Ardito, and Chiara Morini, who played a key role in data collection and interviews with all 16 WAPP utilities.

This achievement represents a major step forward in strengthening the reliability and efficiency of West Africa’s interconnected power grid, reinforcing our commitment to a more secure and resilient energy future for the region.