West Africa Could Unlock $3 Trillion Energy Market by 2035 — Expert

West Africa has the potential to build an energy market worth $3 trillion by 2035, but experts say the region must overcome a major challenge: the lack of cooperation among its 16 countries.

Currently, West African countries largely operate separate energy markets, limiting investment, trade and the region’s ability to fully benefit from its abundant natural resources.

Suleiman Yahyah, Chairman of Rosehill Group Limited Advisory, says the region needs to move away from isolated national projects and develop a single, interconnected energy market with common regulations and cross-border recognition of licences.

Regional cooperation key to tackling energy poverty

Despite its significant oil, gas and other energy resources, West Africa continues to face severe energy shortages, with about 45% of its population living in energy poverty.

Yahyah argues that addressing the problem through individual national projects would take too long. Instead, he believes a regional system that allows capital, energy products and information to move freely across borders could accelerate access to affordable and cleaner electricity.

He also stressed that the most valuable assets in the global energy industry are increasingly technology, knowledge and expertise, rather than raw resources alone.

Countries could specialise

Yahyah proposed that West African countries develop specialised roles based on their comparative advantages.

Under such a regional model, Senegal could serve as a gateway, Ghana as a storage centre, while Lagos could become a major hub for finance and refining.

According to the expert, greater integration would make West Africa more attractive to international investors while allowing the region to retain more of the wealth generated from its energy resources.

The message is clear: West Africa may have the resources to create a $3 trillion energy economy, but stronger regional cooperation could determine whether that potential becomes reality.

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