The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund (ADF) approved last week a sum of two million dollars, or 1.24 billion CFA francs, to accelerate reforms in the electricity sector. This support will help improve access to energy in the 15 countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), through the ADF, its concessional window, will provide technical assistance to accelerate power sector reforms within ECOWAS. The grant is intended for the regional electricity regulatory authority in the zone. The ultimate goal of the grant is to stimulate cross-border electricity trade and improve access to energy.

The AfDB release states that the project has five components: the regulations and key performance indicators of the pan-African institution's flagship report on the Electricity Regulatory Index for AfricaThe project has five components: regulations and key performance indicators for the pan-African institution's flagship report on the Electricity Regulatory Index for Africa; a gender-sensitive study; a centralized database management system; program management; and capacity building. These actions will be co-financed with the Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority.