ERERA Advances Governance Reform Process for REM Phase 2 through High-Level Working Group Engagements, March 4 – 6, 2026
Within the framework of Phase 2 of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market (REM), the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA) has initiated a strategic study aimed at updating and strengthening the institutional, organisational, and legal governance framework of the regional electricity market.
This reform process is designed to support the progressive operationalisation of the Regional System and Market Operator (RSMO), clarify institutional mandates and interfaces, and enhance governance arrangements among ERERA, the West African Power Pool (WAPP), national institutions, and other key stakeholders. It also seeks to facilitate the preparation of robust legal instruments for submission to ERERA and, subsequently, to ECOWAS statutory bodies.
To ensure institutional coherence, ownership, and informed decision-making, ERERA has established a high-level Working Group composed of senior experts drawn from both national and regional institutions. Members of the Working Group bring extensive experience in ECOWAS legal architecture, institutional governance, energy law, electricity market regulation, cross-border electricity trade, and regulatory compliance and enforcement.
The Working Group includes representatives from National Regulatory Authorities, Ministries in charge of Energy, electricity operators, and key regional institutions such as the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Parliament, WAPP, the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), and the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM).
ERERA serves as the technical coordinator and administrative secretariat of the Working Group, providing overall leadership for the governance reform process through its Principal Power Expert, Principal Legal Expert, and Junior Legal Expert. Members of the ERERA Regulatory Council may also participate in the sessions as observers.
The Working Group has been mandated to support ERERA in analysing institutional mandates and governance interfaces, clarifying the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, reviewing reform options, contributing to the development and validation of legal instruments, and supporting informed decision-making toward a transparent, efficient, and fully operational Regional Electricity Market.
Structured Engagements to Support Key Deliverables
As part of this process, ERERA has structured a series of Working Group meetings aligned with key deliverables under the reform programme, including the Institutional and Legal Diagnostic Report, the Governance and Institutional Reform Options Report, and the Draft Legal Instruments for REM Phase 2.
An initial virtual meeting was held on 26 February 2026 to introduce the study’s objectives and methodology, clarify expectations, and align participants on the scope of governance reform. This session also facilitated the organisation of thematic contributions in preparation for subsequent engagements.
Technical and Strategic Discussions in Cotonou
The first in-person Working Group meeting was held from 4 to 6 March 2026 in Cotonou, Benin. The meeting focused on reviewing the institutional diagnostic, analysing governance reform options, and identifying key legal and structural adjustments required to support the implementation of REM Phase 2.
In parallel, participants undertook a technical visit to the WAPP Information and Coordination Centre (ICC) in Abomey-Calavi. As the operational hub of regional electricity exchanges, the ICC provided participants with practical insights into system coordination, real-time operations, and cross-border electricity trade.
This field engagement enabled participants to understand better the operational realities and constraints of the regional power system, as well as the technical and institutional implications of proposed governance reforms. It also ensured that discussions on institutional arrangements were grounded in practical considerations and aligned with operational needs.
Validation of Legal Instruments in Accra
The second in-person meeting is scheduled to take place from 7th to 10th April 2026 in Accra, Ghana. This session will focus on reviewing draft legal instruments, validating governance reform proposals, and consolidating recommendations for submission to ERERA’s statutory bodies and, subsequently, to ECOWAS decision-making organs.
The meeting will also provide participants with the opportunity to visit ERERA Headquarters, reinforcing the Authority’s central role in the regulation and oversight of the Regional Electricity Market, particularly in the context of Phase 2 implementation.
Towards a Stronger Governance Framework for REM
Through these structured engagements, ERERA continues to advance a comprehensive and inclusive reform process aimed at strengthening the governance of the Regional Electricity Market. By fostering collaboration among national and regional stakeholders and grounding policy discussions in both legal and operational realities, the Authority is laying the foundation for a more coordinated, transparent, and efficient market framework.
This initiative is expected to contribute significantly to enhancing institutional coherence, supporting the effective operationalisation of the RSMO, and ensuring the successful transition to REM Phase 2.
