The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is to provide US $2 million to support the West African power pool project, a regional initiative aimed at ensuring more efficient use of the energy resources of the subregion.
The funding will provide for on-the-job training and technical aid. In addition, USAID is to provide a power pool manager who will act as a technical advisor for the project. The agreement was signed on 13 December between the US ambassador to Mali and the executive secretary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Lansana Kouyate.
A pool of experts will also be provided for consultation on regulatory and institutional matters connected with the project. They will be deployed mostly from the US Department of Energy, US utility companies, power pool organisations, contractors and universities. The ECOWAS secretariat is to coordinate all capacity-building and technical aid provided under the agreement.
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