The 7th Regional Electricity Regulatory Forum of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA) will take place from November 9 and 10, 2022 in Banjul, The Gambia with the theme: “Energy Security in the ECOWAS Region Through Interdependence”.

Organised as part of the mandate of ERERA for the organisation and development of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Market, the flagship event will be hosted by the Gambia Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and held under the auspices of the Vice President of The Gambia, Mr. Badara Alieu Joof. It is expected to provide an opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of ECOWAS to good governance and strengthen the role of ERERA as an institution for the harmonisation of regulations, policies, and practices of the electricity sector.

It will also contribute to the capacity building of electricity market players, and operators of the electricity industry in the ECOWAS Member States, as well as serve as a platform for promoting cooperation, exchange of information and sharing of expertise, among other benefits.

Also, the forum will seek to encourage participants to consider issues such as improving the security of electricity supply through the regional electricity market, energy security of supply and regional energy connectivity, promoting cross-border electricity connectivity for sustainable development, consumer protection as well as current energy security of supply within global economic challenges.

Presentations will focus on the economic, legal, technological, environmental, and financial opportunities and challenges related to the selected topics to develop strategic approaches and concrete action plans as well as enhance regional cooperation in the energy field.

Major stakeholders expected to participate in the forum include representatives of the Ministries in charge of Energy, national regulatory authorities, utility companies, parliamentarians, academics, researchers, consumer groups, and regional and international financial institutions, as well as development partners.

Representatives of other Regional Economic Communities (RECs), associations of regulators and the general public are also expected to participate in the forum.

To ensure a successful hosting of the first post-pandemic forum, ERERA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Gambia Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) on August 31, 2022, in Banjul, during a working visit of ERERA’s delegation led by its Chairman, Mr. Laurent Tossou, with ERERA’s Regulatory Council Member, Dr. Haliru Dikko and Senior Legal Expert, Mr. Oumar Bangoura.

In November 2013, The Gambia successfully hosted the fourth ERERA Regional Electricity Regulatory Forum in Banjul.