If you’re working on energy, climate, sustainability, or development—WAPECC-Cotonou is where you need to be.
WAPECC is a premier energy conference and exhibition dedicated to advancing West Africa’s energy landscape. Bringing together key stakeholders,
128, Cannon Workshops, Cannon Drive, London, E14 4AS, United Kingdom
Landline : +44 20 7129 7356
Email : contact@wapecc-events.com
a Beninese national, is an Electrical Engineer by training (1983). He holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, a Postgraduate Specialized Studies Diploma in “Renewable Energies, with a focus on Solar Photovoltaics” (1985), an EDF (Électricité de France) accreditation certificate for very high-voltage line techniques (1988), a Certificate of Proficiency in English (1991), and an MBA in Energy Business Management (1996).
He has 42 years of experience in the energy sector.
Mr. Abel Didier TELLA is currently the Director General of ASEA, the Association of Power Utilities of Africa.
Prior to holding this position, he worked for 25 years at the Benin Electric Energy Company (Société Béninoise d’Énergie Électrique) from 1983 to 2008.
On the international stage, Mr. TELLA served as a member of the Scientific Council of the Regional Solar Energy Center (CRES in Bamako, Mali, from 1986 to 1989) and sits on the Scientific Committees of numerous international scientific communities.
In 2022, he contributed to the writing of the book by the Indian Prime Minister: MODI ENERGIZING A GREEN FUTURE.
He speaks, reads, and writes French, English, Spanish, and Russian fluently, and has a working knowledge of Portuguese.
is a distinguished African energy leader with more than two decades of experience spanning infrastructure development, strategic leadership, and energy market reform. Recognised for his visionary approach to sustainable power solutions across emerging markets, he has built a career at the forefront of Africa’s energy transformation.
He holds executive education credentials from Imperial College Business School and the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, strengthening his strategic and governance expertise.
A Fellow of both the Certified Board of Administrators of Nigeria and the Institute of Management Consultants, he is also a recipient of numerous honours, including the Vanguard Distinguished Nigerian of Merit Award, recognising his outstanding contribution to national and continental development.
As Chairman and CEO of Genesis Energy Holdings, Mr Omoboriowo leads the Group’s mission to deliver innovative, scalable, and commercially sustainable energy solutions across Africa. His leadership extends beyond the organisation: he serves on several global advisory boards, including the University of Oxford, the Shell Foundation, and the African Energy Chamber, where he contributes to shaping policy, investment, and strategic direction for the continent’s energy future.
is a telecommunications, electrical, and electronics engineer with 15 years of experience managing and coordinating technical packages (MEP) on large-scale projects in Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Benin.
He began his career on major Saudi projects such as the King Abdullah Financial District, Princess Nora University, and the King Faisal Specialist Hospital, where he held roles as a telecom, electrical, and IT engineer.
Upon returning to Morocco, he contributed to significant projects like the Tanger Med II Terminal with Hill International and the Mohammed VI Tower with BESIX–TGCC, where he ensured MEP coordination, led design studies, managed subcontractors, and oversaw quality control.
He then joined Schindler Maroc as a Large Projects Manager, where he managed strategic installation and equipment projects until August 2023.
Since 2023, Fayçal Benhmidou has been an engineer at the Infrastructure Department of the Port Autonome de Cotonou, where he is responsible for integrating technical packages and ensuring operational continuity between existing facilities and new port development projects.
Program Director
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Mr. Dahouénon is the Director of the Programme “Promotion of a Climate-Friendly Electricity Market in the ECOWAS Region” (ProMERC). This programme operates under the authority of the ECOWAS Commission and is implemented in collaboration with its specialized institutions: WAPP, ECREEE, and ERERA.
Mr. Dahouénon has more than 40 years of experience in the planning and implementation of renewable energy development objectives, as well as urban and rural electrification, particularly in West Africa.
He has spent the past 35 years working with GIZ, where he continues to lead a regional project supporting the ECOWAS Commission.
Mr. Dahouénon holds a degree in Electrical Industry Engineering, complemented by a Master’s degree in Energy Systems Planning and Management from the Technical University of West Berlin.
is a renowned Beninese urban planner and specialist in urban development, land management, environmental governance and local development. A graduate of EAMAU with advanced training from the La Cambre Institute of Architecture in Brussels, he brings more than thirty-five years of experience dedicated to sustainable development in Africa.
Since April 2023, he has served as Minister of Living Environment and Transport in charge of Sustainable Development, and, since June 2025, as Minister of Energy, Water and Mines. In this dual leadership role, he champions an integrated vision bringing together urban planning, infrastructure, environment, energy, water and mining to strengthen resilience, improve essential services, and guide territorial development in Benin.
Before joining the government, José Tonato founded the consultancy PLANURBA SCP and later joined IMPACT Consultants, where he led major projects in urban planning, environmental management and land reforms. He also held key positions within the Ministry of Environment and supported local governments in the implementation of decentralisation reforms.
Internationally, he served as Chief Urban Development Officer at the African Development Bank, International Expert to the Government of Rwanda, and Regional Technical Advisor for Cities Alliance, contributing significantly to the Africities programs.
Widely recognised for his leadership and strategic vision, José Tonato continues to advance sustainable, resilient and inclusive development across African territories and energy systems.
Expert in Oil Industries and Energy
Knight of the National Order of Merit of Côte d’Ivoire
Consultant in Energy Transition, Ecological Transition, and Digital Intelligence
Government Consultant and Advisor to International Institutions
International Expert Consultant at the World Bank
Awarded Best International Expert at the International MLDI Trophy
at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, 2022 Edition
International Expert Serge Parfait DIOMAN
Mr. Serge Parfait DIOMAN is an Ivorian energy expert with extensive international experience across more than 35 projects in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. He made history as the first Ivorian to participate fully in the oceanic transfer of the FPSO BALEINE from the United Arab Emirates to Côte d’Ivoire (April–June 2023), a major milestone in the country’s petroleum industry.
Within PETROCI, he was deeply involved in the rapid development and commissioning of the BALEINE oil and gas field—completed in under two years and operating under Net Zero Emission principles. His multidisciplinary expertise covers oil and gas production (onshore/offshore), petrochemicals, gas transport and processing, mining, metrology, renewable energy, and high-voltage transmission.
A technical trainer and automation specialist, he played a pivotal role in the digital transition of the Société Ivoirienne de Raffinage (SIR) in 1998, implementing advanced control systems that remain operational today. Mr. Dioman also contributed to TOTAL Petrochemicals France on NOx reduction technologies and to the MARTIN LINGE offshore platform project in Norway with TECHNIP and TOTAL Norway, advancing sustainable and innovative energy solutions.
of Beninese nationality, began his career in 2004 as a construction engineer specializing in Electrical Engineering; he also holds a specialized Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Energetics, and Renewable Energy from the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
With over 20 years of professional experience in the electricity sector, he served for 14 years at the Benin Electricity Company (SBEE), successively holding the positions of Electrical Network Planning Officer and Electricity Project Coordinator under various funding programs. He is a specialist in network sizing and in issues related to distribution network losses.
Mr. BANKOLE is a graduate in Energy Regulation and Markets from the École des Mines de Paris. Since 2018, he has been a Technical Advisor for Electricity Market Development with the German Cooperation Agency (GIZ), working on the program “Promotion of a Climate-Friendly Electricity Market in the ECOWAS Region.”
He is involved in several stages of implementing the ECOWAS regional electricity market, particularly in network codes, market rules, pricing, and the establishment of financial institutions for various settlements, through his support to the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ARREC).
has been the Managing Director of the Benin Electricity Company (SBEE) since July 2025. Selected for his strong international profile, he represents the government’s commitment to accelerating universal access to electricity, modernizing public energy services, and strengthening regional cooperation.
An engineering graduate from EPFL and holder of an advanced management certificate from HEC Paris, he combines technical expertise with strategic leadership. Before joining SBEE, he held several senior positions in West Africa’s power sector, including Deputy Managing Director of the Côte d’Ivoire Electricity Company (CIE), Director General of ANARE, Director of GS2E, and co-founder and President of the Francophone Energy Regulators Association.
His political experience in Côte d’Ivoire — as Mayor of Assinie-Mafia, Member of Parliament, and Regional Councillor — gave him a deep understanding of public service delivery and energy access challenges.
At the helm of SBEE, his priorities include improving service quality, boosting operational performance, and enhancing sub-regional energy integration.
is a senior energy sector expert with 16 years of experience in rural electrification, electrical infrastructure development, and public policy formulation. A trained electrical engineer and certified Project Management Professional (PMP), he has developed dual technical and strategic expertise within the Beninese public administration and while working with technical and financial partners such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
Currently a Senior Power Expert Consultant at the AfDB, he is involved in structuring, appraising, and supervising rural electrification projects worth over USD 110 million, as well as in sectoral dialogue and identifying new financing opportunities. He contributed to the validation of a major project aiming to electrify 570 localities for USD 125 million.
Previously, he led and coordinated strategic projects, including a USD 127 million power grid modernization program under MCA-Benin II, as well as rural electrification investments that provided electricity to over 6,000 households.
Recognized for his ability to work in complex and multidisciplinary environments, he actively contributes to improving energy governance in West Africa.
has served as MD/CEO of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) since August 2016, overseeing the overall growth, expansion, and financial health of the organization. She is responsible for fiscal and operational performance, internal operations, and public representation, including monitoring and tracking information relating to power generation. She liaises with key development partners and stakeholders such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, GIZ, European Union, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company Plc, NNPC, and various Ministries (Power, Petroleum, Finance, Environment).
Her key achievements include:
Previously, she served as Senior Technical Adviser to the Presidential Taskforce on Power (Nov 2011 – Mar 2016), providing regulatory and transaction monitoring expertise and contributing to major reforms in the Nigerian power sector.
Dr Mrs Joy O. Ogaji is recognized for her problem-solving skills, stakeholder engagement, and strategic leadership in the West African energy sector.
is the Head of Technical for Africa at JA Solar, leveraging over 15 years of distinguished experience in technical support, project management, and engineering, with a specialized focus on photovoltaics (PV) and energy storage systems. As a RENAC-certified trainer in energy management,
Mr. Yahi has a proven track record of delivering high-impact training programs in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
Mr. Yahi has been instrumental in the successful execution of numerous large-scale solar projects across the African region. Notable achievements include the supply of 200 MWp for a major project in Morocco, over 96 MWp in Senegal, and the construction of an 85 MWp solar power plant in Algeria. As a vital member of the JA Solar Africa team, he provides comprehensive technical support and project management for JA Solar’s initiatives, with a strong emphasis on utility-scale and commercial & industrial (C&I) projects.
is a seasoned public policy specialist with extensive experience in policy design, political economy, and advocacy, with a strong focus on Africa. She served in the Office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for nearly eight years as Senior Special Assistant for Planning & Coordination (January 2016 – October 2023), advising on economic development, governance, and strategic planning initiatives at the highest levels of government.
Her expertise spans centre-of-government delivery, energy transition, development planning, and governance, and she has hands-on experience in building non-profits, driving corporate social responsibility programs, and managing cultural initiatives. Known for her strategic insight and ability to bridge policy and implementation, she has contributed to initiatives that promote sustainable development and inclusive growth across Africa.
By combining high-level governmental experience with cross-sector expertise, [Name] is recognized for fostering impactful solutions that advance economic development, energy transition, and effective governance on the continent.
MS Lanre Shasore –Senior Advisor, Africa, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)
is a seasoned telecom executive with more than 25 years of experience across global markets. A self-made expert with deep field knowledge, he has held senior leadership positions in major industry players including Thomson, Alcatel-Lucent, Nokia, and NETIS Group.
Hatim began his career at KEYMILE France as Sales Director for France and the Mediterranean before moving to Thomson Corporation, where he served as Regional Director for Latin America, overseeing the Networks and Integration Solutions business. He later joined Alcatel-Lucent, becoming Managing Director & Country Senior Officer in Nigeria, and subsequently Managing Director & Cluster Leader for the wider region under Nokia.
His career has been marked by a consistent focus on market development, innovation adoption, and the adaptation of emerging technologies to local needs. These roles have strengthened his expertise in exploring, educating, and transforming markets for new products and solutions.
Today, Hatim Zougary leads business growth for NETIS Group across African markets, where he continues to leverage his extensive leadership experience and strategic vision to support the continent’s digital and telecom transformation.
founded Energicity Corp. in 2015 to solve the problem of bringing sustainable electricity to unserved rural communities in Africa. Under her leadership, Energicity has raised $10 million in funding and currently supplies electricity to 70,000 people by building and operating solar mini grids, in Benin (Weziza Benin), Liberia (Starlight Energy) and Sierra Leone (Power Leone). Nicole’s passion for building transformative, high-impact businesses puts her on the backroads of Africa and also in the White House and in some of the U.S.’s most influential media outlets. In 2022, she was appointed to President Biden’s Presidential Advisory Committee for Doing Business in Africa where she advocates for policies to strengthen private investment in African solar energy. Also in 2022, she was invited by Time magazine to write an op-ed article on her vision for ending energy poverty with solar mini grids. Nicole’s work has caught the eye of environmentalist, Bill McKibben, who featured her in The New Yorker article,The Race to Solar-Power Africa and in his book, Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out? Nicole’s leadership of Energicity draws on expertise gained at OPower, a smart grid software company that she helped bring to IPO in 2014, as a senior policy advisor to the Mayor Bloomberg Administration, as VP of operations for a $500 mm book publisher, and variety of finance roles including portfolio manager for the $100 mm New York City Investment Fund (sponsored by Henry Kravis) and Director of Investments for the New York City Empowerment Zone a $300 mm fund. She graduated from Yale University and Harvard Business School
a graduate of the Inter-African School of Electricity (15th class), joined Senelec in 1998 as an engineer in automation and regulation at the Cap des Biches Power Plant III. He went on to hold several leadership positions, including Head of Production for the RECORD project (2002–2004), Head of Engineering (2004–2006), and Head of Operations at Power Plant III (2006–2008).
From 2009 to 2019, he served within the General Studies Department and later the Equipment Directorate, where he managed major projects (MCA, gas, and coal). In 2019, he was appointed Senior Director of Equipment, before becoming Secretary General of Senelec in 2021.
On June 5, 2024, Papa Toby Gaye was appointed Director General of Senelec.
was confirmed as the new Secretary General of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) during the General Assembly held on November 29, 2024, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. A seasoned electromechanical engineer, he graduated from the Inter-African School of Electricity (ESIE) in Bingerville, Côte d’Ivoire.
Mr. DIA has extensive experience in leadership roles within the energy sector, nationally and internationally. He began his career at Senelec, rising from Thermal Power Plant Engineer to Secretary General, and later served as Chief of Staff at Senegal’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and Chairman of the Special Support Fund for the Electricity Sector. He was also Managing Director of SEMAF under the Senegal River Basin Development Organization (OMVS).
With deep knowledge of ECOWAS and WAPP, Mr. DIA brings the expertise needed to address West Africa’s energy challenges. He is married and father of three children.
a renowned Ghanaian academic, is the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Accra Technical University and a Professor of Electrical and Energy Systems Engineering. A Fellow Professional Engineer with the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Ghana, and Senior Member of IEEE, he holds a PhD in Energy Systems Engineering and advanced certificates from Stellenbosch and Coventry Universities. With over 120 international publications, his expertise spans Hybrid Energy Systems, Smart Grids, Renewable Energy Modeling, and AI in Energy Systems. He has supervised more than 50 MSc and several PhD theses and has served as an international tutor at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology. Widely recognized for his leadership, he has received prestigious awards including the Decade Researcher Award and the Solarquarter Grandmaster Award. Under his leadership, ATU launched its first Master’s programs and earned a Times Higher Education ranking among Sub-Saharan Africa’s top universities.
is the Sustainable Energy Policy Officer at the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), based in Cabo Verde. He currently serves as the Regional Coordinator of the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Policy Programme, playing a central role in developing and implementing the Sustainable Energy Country Action Plans across all ECOWAS Member States. With over 15 years of experience in the energy sector, Mr. Elayo specializes in research, long-term energy policy formulation, and strategies that address poverty through affordable and sustainable energy solutions. His work focuses on creating enabling environments to attract sustainable energy investments in the ECOWAS region. Mr. Elayo holds an MA in International Relations from Lancaster University, UK, and an MSc in Energy Studies from the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP) at the University of Dundee, Scotland.
is an experienced and motivated senior executive with a strong background in renewable energy and telecommunications.
He is a consultant for international companies such as O&L NeXentury, and PowerChina, and most recently, Econet Wireless SA.
He has significant expertise in GSM strategies, renewable energies, and operations, as well as P&L responsibility in regional and continental leadership positions.
Mr. Tanoh has had an international career. He is a seasoned executive with over 40 years of experience in telecommunications, IT, energy, and engineering. His experience has enabled him to work with and for international companies based in the United States, Europe, and Africa.
He spent 25 years of his career in the African telecommunications industry, primarily in South Africa. His current passion and goal are to improve the quality of life for people in Africa and around the world through renewable energy, where he has been invloved for the past 15 years.
Mr. Tanoh was born in France and is a dual French-Ivorian citizen. He is bilingual in English and French and has basic knowledge of German and Spanish. He holds a degree in electrical engineering from the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and a master’s degree in industrial engineering and operations research (IEOR) from the University of California, Berkeley.
Mr TANOH is married and has three children.
Engineer by profession, Mr. Kocou Laurent Rodrigue TOSSOU was Managing Director of the Beninese Electric Power Company (SBEE) from 2016 to 2019. As such, M. TOSSOU actively participated in the process of setting up the West African Power Pool (WAPP) as a member of the Board of Directors and
organized in Cotonou, Benin in June 2018 the event of the launching of phase 1 of the ECOWAS regional electricity market. A Graduated in Energy Market Management at CentraleSupélec in France, he was just before his appointment to ERERA, Member of the National Regulatory Council of the
Electricity Regulatory Authority of Benin.
David Pappoe Jr., a prominent figure in Africa’s energy landscape, has participated in major energy projects in Ghana and other parts of West Africa including the ENI offshore receiving facility (ORF) where Energas west Africa build the metering station, installed the compressors and other major engineering
projects including the HIGH INTEGRITY PRESSURE PROTECTION SYSTEM (HIPPS).
To name a few under ENERGAS WEST AFRICA LTD;
As CEO of energas west Africa he has been involved in major project development in collaboration with international partners such as Blutek, MOKVELD, ENI, AKSA energy.
David supports the ideas of making energy poverty history in Africa by 2030. As a seasoned entrepreneur and energy executive with over 16 years of
experience in the Energy Sector.
He currently serves as the President for Ghana at the African Energy Chamber (AEC), where he champions local content development and advocates for the
full exploitation of Africa’s oil and gas resources to combat energy poverty. David has held past position as Country Representative for Petrographics, an Egyptian oil services company, where he oversees workforce supply and training for geologists, geophysicists, and reservoir specialists. This was a pivotal moment
for David energy career where he understood the dynamics of the energy industry.
David’s leadership spans strategic investment facilitation, local workforce development, and fostering partnerships between African and global energy stakeholders. He’s also a key speaker at international forums like Invest in African Energy, shaping dialogue around sustainable growth and socioeconomic impact across the continent. David stands for making energy poverty history by advocating the end of energy poverty in Africa, and supports the idea of embracing all forms of energy to help reduce energy poverty in Africa.
Ndeye Ngoné Tall is a seasoned professional in the energy and infrastructure sector, with over 15 years of experience in managing international projects. Strongly results-oriented, she brings extensive expertise in leading strategic energy projects and supporting public sector reforms, operating at the intersection of public and private sectors across West and Central Africa.
She currently serves as Business Development Director – West and Central Africa within AXIAN Group’s Energy Cluster, a pan-African group present in 17 countries. In this role, she drives the strategy and implementation of large-scale solar projects, including the NEA Kolda solar power plant in Senegal, as well as initiatives in Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Cameroon, and beyond.
Engr. Mai Mohamed Elhafez is a distinguished energy professional and regional cooperation leader with over 20 years of experience in the electrotechnical sector, international standardization, and institutional capacity development. She has played a pivotal role in advancing Africa’s and the Arab region’s engagement with international energy and standardization frameworks, combining technical expertise with strategic leadership and partnership building. She currently serves as General Manager for International Cooperation at the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC), where she leads regional and international collaboration initiatives with African, Arab, and international partners. Her work focuses on advancing sustainable energy development, knowledge exchange, and the harmonization of technical standards across the continent.
Eng. Elhafez began her career at EEHC’s Extra High Voltage Research Center as an Electrical Equipment Research and Testing Engineer, later moving to the Design and Specifications Sector, and ultimately rising to her current leadership position. Her technical foundation in Electrical Power and Machines Engineering — earned at Cairo University (B.Sc. 1999, M.Sc. 2010) — underpins her applied understanding of grid systems, testing, and energy technology development. She has been a driving force in regional standardization initiatives, serving as:
In summary, Eng. Mai Elhafez combines technical proficiency, strategic foresight, and institutional experience in the energy and standardization fields. Her leadership in developing regional frameworks, training engineers, and shaping policy dialogue makes her a key contributor to high-impact capacity-building programmes such as the upcoming EMC Training in Malawi.
Director of Sub-Saharan Subsidiaries – VINCI Energies West Africa
An engineering graduate from ENIM (Class of ’96), Lahoucine FARDADI-Eng brings over 25 years of experience in electrical infrastructure, export management, and large-scale project leadership. He began his career as a Production Engineer at Longofer before joining CEGELEC in 2000, where he spent more than two decades in key roles, notably as West Africa Export Manager.
Since 2022, he has been leading VINCI Energies’ Sub-Saharan subsidiaries in West Africa, overseeing strategic projects in power transmission, transformation and distribution, rural electrification, industrial solutions (Actemium), and IT & telecom technologies (Axians). Known for his strategic vision, leadership, and operational expertise, he plays an active role in developing African engineering talent and driving sustainable performance across the region.
