From March 23 to 27, 2026, Dakar will host the CIGRE West Africa international summit. Following Ghana, this major event will be held under the auspices of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), with the support of Senelec.

Around one hundred experts from the 15 ECOWAS countries have gathered to share their expertise, explore new solutions, and address the sub-region's electricity challenges. The opening ceremony, held this Monday at the Noom Hotel Dakar, was attended by representatives of Senelec and featured an address by the Minister of Energy, Petroleum, and Mines, Birame Soulèye Diop.

The head of Energy sets the course

The Minister highlighted the major challenges facing the sector and demonstrated Senegal's determination:

“Our electricity systems must meet several major challenges: guaranteeing universal and equitable access to electricity, ensuring the security and reliability of the networks, controlling production costs and supporting the energy transition towards more sustainable sources,” said Birame Soulèye Diop, promising concrete actions to modernize infrastructure and strengthen the national network.

For him, it is about fundamentally transforming the energy sector in order to meet the needs of the population while supporting the ecological transition.

Senegal, an energy hub in West Africa

The summit is part of a broader regional dynamic driven by the WAPP. The Minister recalled the historic success of the synchronization of West African electricity grids, achieved on November 8, 2025, a key milestone for regional integration and the construction of an interconnected electricity market.

For Senegal, this ambition translates into a strategy combining the development of local gas resources, the expansion of renewable energy sources, and the modernization of transmission and distribution infrastructure. Investments made by Senelec strengthen national energy security and position the country as a key player in West African integration.

CIGRE calls for cooperation and knowledge sharing

The president of CIGRE, Constantin Papailiou, emphasized the importance of sharing knowledge globally: "Electrification is essential to guarantee a future for our children and grandchildren."

He explained that CIGRE, with its 16 study committees and international working groups, offers African engineers a unique framework to strengthen their skills and contribute to the continent's energy transformation.

Over five days, participants will exchange ideas on crucial topics: transmission and distribution networks, renewable energy integration, electrical system planning, and regional market development. This event confirms Dakar's strategic hub status and underscores Senegal's ambition to make its network an engine of sustainable development for the sub-region.