Special Session 3 — Sustainability, Ownership, and Accountability in Africa's Electricity Sector Reforms: What Role Do Consumers Play?

This session highlights the role and contribution of citizen-consumers, through consumer organizations, in designing, owning, and monitoring electricity sector reforms to strengthen their viability, effectiveness, and social legitimacy. Hosted by the African Consumers Organization (ACO).

Moderated by Mr. Ernest Gbaguidi (Chairperson, Benin Health and Consumers' Survival), with speakers Mr. Émeric F. E. Tokoudagba (Electricity Regulatory Authority (ARE), Benin), Mrs. Josephine Sanny (Afrobarometer), Dr. Emmanuel Sogadji (Executive Director, ACO), Mr. Marc Galinier (Qair Energy) and Mr. Yaya Sidjim (Chadian Consumers Association).

Objectives: analyze the impact of electricity sector crises and reforms on households — particularly the most vulnerable — and on SMEs; identify concrete mechanisms for consumer engagement in the design, implementation, monitoring and accountability of reforms; and strengthen the technical capacity and legitimacy of consumer organizations. Expected outcomes: a concise analysis of reform impacts with mitigation recommendations; a set of practical mechanisms to consolidate the role of citizen-consumers; and stronger recognition of consumer organizations as technical and advocacy partners on energy.