3rd Meeting of the ECOWAS-Donors Consultative Committee of ECREEE

On Saturday, 14^th October 2023, ECREEE held its 3^rd ECOWAS-Donors Consultative meeting at Hotel VIP in Praia, Cabo Verde. The meeting was chaired by the Honorable Sediko Douka, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization. The agenda included the review of the implementation of the recommendations from the second meeting, the implementation status of the 2023 work plan and budget, the indicative workplan and budget for 2024, and donor-funded programs and outlook.

Presenting the implementation status at the end of September 2023, Mr Jean Francis Sempre, ECREEE Executive Director, indicated that under the activities planned for the year 2023, nearly 20% of the activities are fully completed while 50% are in the process of being finalized.  Among others, he highlighted significant achievements as of the end of the third quarter as follows:

1. The endorsement of the Green Hydrogen Policy by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and the subsequent development and validation of a strategy and action plan;
2. Advancements in the process leading to the strengthening of the ECOWAS Scheme for Certification of Sustainable Energy Skills and
3. The support of selected private promoters for the construction of sustainable energy infrastructures

The 2024 workplan and budget presented are marked by a significant increase in resources mobilized from partners. The Members of the Committee subsequently adopted and approved the 2024 indicative budget. The funding partners expressed satisfaction with their collaboration with ECREEE and were optimistic about the fruitful outcomes of the interventions they support.

In his closing remarks, the Chair commended members of the Committee for attending the meeting. He praised all partners for their continued support and cooperation in supporting ECREEE’s mandate and promoting sustainable energy in the region, especially at this crucial time in the ECOWAS transformation agenda. He further expressed his profound gratitude to the Government and people of Cabo Verde for their warm hospitality during the just-ended eighth edition of the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum.