The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Small-Scale Hydropower Program

In support of the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All initiative and to promote the region's energy future, the energy ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) adopted a the ECOWAS Small-Scale Hydropower program in October 2012. This document is the program document for the first phase of the program to take place between 2013 and 2018. The program is intended to contribute to increased access to modern energy services, energy security, and mitigation of the negative environmental impacts of the energy system. It proposes to do this by creating an enabling environment for small-scale hydropower investments and markets in the region's member countries. Additionally, the program will contribute to region's renewable energy policy goals. The ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency will manage the program in close partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.