Our MD, Michelle, on 7 February 2025, participated in high level engagements with the energy ministers of Togo and Ghana, as part of the Nigeria energy minister’s visits to his counterparts in the two countries.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, earlier this month, visited Ghana and Togo, where he met with key officials to discuss outstanding West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) legal and fiscal amendments.

According to Nigeria Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), his visit to both countries was to encourage the States to make the necessary amendments to the harmonised WAGP legal and fiscal regime as agreed to, by the parties and to facilitate their passage by the respective Parliaments. He said the Benin parliament had voted in support of the amendment to WAGP act in 2024

In Togo, Ekpo met with the Minister of Mines and Energy Resources, Robert Koffi Messan Eklo, in Lomé. The ministers engaged in ‘fruitful’ discussions, aligning their positions on key amendments proposed to the WAGP fiscal regime, which will also bolster bilateral cooperation between the four WAGP states.  The Togolese Minister of Energy and Mines Resources briefed the delegation on the efforts his country was taking to ensure the passage of the Act in a timely manner.

In Ghana, the Nigerian Minister met with the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor. The two leaders, according to media reports, discussed matters concerning the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) Project, particularly the advancement of the legislative amendment process. Both agreed that these amendments were essential to ensuring fiscal and regulatory harmony among all WAGP member states, which will enhance the operational efficiency and long-term sustainability of the WAGP.

Given Ghana’s strategic role in this initiative, the meeting discussed how the two countries could collaborate to accelerate the legislative processes required for the successful implementation of the amendments and to strengthen Ghana and Nigeria’s partnership in advancing the objectives of the WAGP Project for the collective benefit of all member states.

The Ghana Minister of Energy and Green Transition said the country would take the necessary actions in support of the amendment of the WAGP fiscal regime.

WAPCo since 2019 has triggered efforts to get the WAGP fiscal regime amended. While Nigeria and Benin have fully supported this initiative, Togo and Ghana are yet to take the necessary steps required to support these amendments. The WAGP has a harmonized legal and fiscal regime which requires that all four WAGP states approve any amendments before they come into effect.

Present at these meetings were, WAPCo’s MD and General Counsel, and the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energies at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), and Chairman of the WAPCo Board, Lekan Ogunleye. The Director General of the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA), WAPCo’s regulator, was also present.