WAPP North Core Power Project Linking Five West African Countries Hits 75% Completion
The West African Power Pool (WAPP) North Core 330kV Interconnection Project, designed to link Nigeria, Niger, Benin, Burkina Faso and Togo, has reached over 75 per cent completion, with participating countries and international development partners intensifying efforts to ensure its timely delivery.
The development was announced during the 8th Joint Supervision Mission of the project’s financing partners, held in Abuja from October 26 to November 6, 2026.
The meeting brought together representatives of participating countries, national electricity utilities and development partners to assess progress, address implementation challenges and identify strategies for completing the remaining construction works.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the WAPP Executive Board and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, the General Manager, Programme Coordination, TCN, Engr. Aminu Tahir, called for sustained cooperation, timely decisions and stronger commitment from all stakeholders.
He said the progress recorded so far reflected the dedication of engineers, technicians, project personnel, participating governments and development partners.
According to him, the immediate priority is to complete outstanding construction works and ensure the project delivers reliable electricity infrastructure capable of strengthening regional power exchanges.
Also speaking, the WAPP Secretary General, Mr Abdoulaye Dia, represented by the Director of Planning, Investment Programming and Environmental Safeguards, Mr Kodjo Afidegnon, described the project as a strategic investment in West Africa’s electricity integration.
He explained that the initiative, launched in 2019, was designed to improve electricity supply security, promote cross-border power trade and strengthen the regional electricity market.
However, he identified insecurity, flooding, the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, political challenges and border closures as some of the factors responsible for delays, increased costs and the suspension of construction activities in certain locations.
Despite these challenges, the project has recorded significant progress across participating countries.
In Benin, the Malanville substation has received provisional acceptance, while construction work on the Niger River crossing is ongoing.
In Burkina Faso, the Ouaga Est and Ouaga Sud-Est substations, alongside 33 kilometres of 225kV transmission lines connecting them to the network, have been commissioned.
In Niger, equipment installed at Niamey II and Gazaoua has been operational since July, helping stabilise the existing 132kV interconnection lines supplying electricity from Nigeria.
Meanwhile, construction of the 330kV transmission line in Nigeria is ongoing, with preparations being made for its eventual connection to the national grid.
The project has also recorded progress in its environmental and social responsibilities, compensating 5,726 project-affected persons, resolving almost all reported grievances, electrifying 170 communities in Burkina Faso and Niger, and creating 2,483 jobs along the project corridor.
A representative of the African Development Bank (AfDB) stressed the need for a results-driven supervision mission capable of addressing security concerns, contractor performance and other obstacles threatening the completion schedule.
The representative warned that delays in any participating country could undermine the overall benefits of the regional interconnection, particularly as critical infrastructure in Niger remains essential to the project’s success.
The bank reaffirmed its commitment to supporting WAPP, participating governments and national electricity utilities in resolving outstanding challenges and completing the project.
When completed, the WAPP North Core Project is expected to strengthen electricity connectivity across West Africa, facilitate cross-border power trading and improve the reliability of electricity supply within the regional market.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the African Development Bank, World Bank, WAPP North Core Project Management Unit, energy and finance ministries, and national electricity utilities from the five participating countries.
