Lom©: The Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP) revealed substantial progress during a presentation in Lom©, with over 66,000 households connected and $11.4 million in subsidies provided to tackle the energy deficit across 19 countries in West and Central Africa.
According to Burkina Information Agency, after four years of implementation, the outcomes of ROGEAP were shared with members of the ROGEAP Journalists Network at their third information and awareness workshop on March 5 and 6, 2026. Project officials highlighted that the funding has accelerated the deployment of solar solutions, granting nearly 396,000 individuals access to electricity.
Institutionally, ROGEAP has facilitated the electrification of 821 public facilities, including schools and health centers, and supported over 1,500 productive activities, creating more than 2,000 jobs. The financial component, overseen by portfolio manager Idrissa Diabira, has declared 121 small and medium enterprises eligible for grants totaling $11.4 million, with an initial $4.6 million disbursed.
Simultaneously, the technical framework has been bolstered with the adoption of two regional quality standards and the training of 600 experts and 1,700 technicians across 19 countries, noted ROGEAP coordinator Elhadji Sylla. The third regional information workshop aims to enhance media knowledge of the project as it enters its fourth year.
Cr©do Tetteh, Vice-President of the ROGEAP Journalists' Network, stressed the importance of strengthening collaboration between journalists, the portfolio manager, and the West African Development Bank (BOAD) to better support businesses and households with low-interest rate resources from the World Bank.
Launched in 2022 with a $345 million budget, ROGEAP seeks to create a unified regional market for off-grid solar energy, covering ECOWAS countries, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, and Mauritania. ROGEAP's communications officer, Pouye Badara, stated that the project focuses on developing a regional market for off-grid photovoltaic solar systems and facilitating access to financing for solar sector companies.
Faced with climate and social challenges, officials urged the media to drive change. ECOWAS resident representative in Togo, Deweh Emily Gray, pointed out that around 208 million people in West Africa and the Sahel lack electricity access, with 70% residing in rural areas. She encouraged journalists to enhance awareness-raising efforts to inform the public about solar technologies and promote their adoption.
Dr. Tchapo A. Singo, Director General of Energy in Togo, concluded by highlighting the media's responsibility in popularizing solar technologies. He urged intensified awareness campaigns to garner public support and make technical information widely accessible, crucial for a successful regional energy transition.