AFREC AND ECOWAS REINFORCED THE CAPACITY OF NATIONAL EXPERTS TOWARD A ROBUST AND RELIABLE ENERGY INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE AND STATISTICS DATA
"The African Energy Commission (AFREC) in collaboration with ECOWAS’ Directorate of Energy and Mines organized a Regional Workshop on Energy Statistics and Validation of the 2024 Energy Balance from 4 to 6 May 2026 in Cotonou, Benin Republic. The workshop which brought together national Energy Information System (EIS) Experts of twenty-six (26) African countries including […]"
The African Energy Commission (AFREC) in collaboration with ECOWAS’ Directorate of Energy and Mines organized a Regional Workshop on Energy Statistics and Validation of the 2024 Energy Balance from 4 to 6 May 2026 in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The workshop brought together national Energy Information System (EIS) Experts from 26 African countries, including 11 ECOWAS Member states, as well as regional and international organizations.
It aims to strengthen the production and use of reliable energy data for informed energy and climate policymaking, and to review practical approaches for compiling energy statistics and validating energy balance information.
The workshop will also reinforce the use of energy balances as a foundation for energy indicators, energy accounts, and CO2 emissions estimates.
Ambassador Amadou DIONGUE, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin, in his opening statement highlighted that the availability and reliability of consistent, harmonised and regularly updated energy data within our respective countries are now a strategic imperative for the planning, monitoring and evaluation of energy policies, at both national and regional levels.
"In the face of the challenges posed by the energy transition and the need for universal access to sustainable energy, this workshop, which focuses on the AFREC questionnaire and the preparation of the 2024 Energy Balance Sheet, is a perfect addition to the joint cooperation effort to establish a reliable African energy data architecture." — Ambassador Amadou DIONGUE, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin
Mr Samson Bel-Aude NOUGBODOHOUE, Head of the Energy Information Systems and Statistics Division at AFREC, emphasized the strategic importance of having reliable, harmonized and regularly updated energy data to guide public policy.
According to him, this workshop is part of a continental initiative aimed at strengthening energy information systems and improving the quality of energy balances produced by member states.
Mr Félicien ACCROMBESSY, a representative of the World Bank, highlighted the importance of statistical systems as a lever for concrete solutions to current energy challenges.
He emphasized the importance of strengthening human and institutional capacity to establish robust statistical frameworks, and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting African countries in their energy transition.
The workshop will pay particular attention to the architecture, functionalities and role of the ECOWAS Energy Information System (EIS-ECOWAS).
This system was officially launched by ECOWAS Ministers in charge of Energy in 2023 as a regional tool for harmonization, policy monitoring and data consolidation.
The workshop will also consider its contribution to the consolidation of the AFREC Energy Information System.
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Key Impact
- Ghanaian energy experts can now produce more accurate and reliable energy data, improving national energy planning.
- The workshop directly supports Ghana's efforts to monitor and evaluate energy policies, especially for universal access and energy transition goals.
- Harmonized energy data across ECOWAS, including Ghana, will enable better regional energy trade and investment decisions.
- Ghana's participation strengthens its ability to report consistent energy statistics to AFREC and international bodies.
Background
- The African Energy Commission (AFREC) and ECOWAS organized a workshop from 4-6 May 2026 in Cotonou, Benin, focusing on energy statistics and the 2024 Energy Balance.
- Twenty-six African countries, including 11 ECOWAS member states like Ghana, sent national Energy Information System (EIS) experts to the workshop.
- The ECOWAS Energy Information System (EIS-ECOWAS) was launched by regional energy ministers in 2023 as a tool for harmonizing data across member states.
- Ghana has long faced challenges with inconsistent energy data, which this workshop aims to address through training and harmonization.
Benefits
- Ghanaian experts will be better equipped to compile and validate energy balances, leading to clearer insights into the country's energy supply and demand.
- Improved data quality will help Ghana track progress on energy access targets, especially for off-grid communities in the Northern and Upper East regions.
- The workshop promotes the use of energy balances for calculating CO2 emissions estimates, supporting Ghana's climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
- Harmonized data will facilitate Ghana's participation in regional energy projects like the West African Power Pool (WAPP).
Risks & Warnings
- Without sustained investment in Ghana's Energy Information System, gains from the workshop may fade, leading to outdated or inaccurate data.
- Coordination between Ghana's various energy institutions, such as the Energy Commission and the Ministry of Energy, remains critical to avoid data silos.
- Dependence on external support from AFREC and ECOWAS could create vulnerability if funding or political commitment weakens.
- Inconsistent data collection at the district level, especially in rural areas, may undermine the quality of national energy statistics.
Who Is Affected
- Ghanaian energy planners and policymakers at the Ministry of Energy and the Energy Commission will rely on improved data for decision-making.
- National EIS experts from Ghana who attended the workshop are directly affected, as they are responsible for compiling and validating energy data.
- Rural communities in Ghana, particularly in the Volta and Savannah regions, will benefit from better-targeted energy access programs informed by reliable data.
- Regional organizations such as AFREC, ECOWAS, and the World Bank are affected as they depend on accurate data from Ghana to support regional energy strategies and funding.
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