The energy sector in the ECOWAS region is characterized by persistent challenges to be addressed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7: ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services. The region has one of the lowest access rates, coupled with insufficient capacity for power generation and distribution, poor reliability of power supply, high costs, low renewable energy penetration, rampant inefficiencies, and very high unmet demand. These challenges hinder economic growth and development in the region.

In response to the recommendation of the 2006 ECOWAS/UEMOA White Paper on access to energy services in rural and peri-urban areas, which was further reinforced by the Ouagadougou Declaration in 2007 at ECOWAS Conference on Peace and Security, the ECOWAS Heads of State took strategic decision towards the establishment of ECREEE, under the auspices of the ECOWAS Commission.

2008 – Regulation C/REG.23/11/08

The Ouagadougou Declaration, adopted at the ECOWAS Conference for Peace and Security on 12 November 2007 in Burkina Faso, articulated the need to establish a regional Centre to promote Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. At the conference, the Austrian Minister for European and International Affairs and UNIDO pledged support for the creation of such an agency. In 2008, at its 61st session, the ECOWAS Council of Ministers adopted the regulation C/REG.23/11/08 which gave ECREEE a legal basis.

2010 – Headquarter Agreement

The Secretariat of the Centre was established during a six-month preparatory phase in Praia, Cape Verde, with the support of the Austrian and Spanish Governments, as well as technical assistance from UNIDO. With the signing of the Headquarters Agreement between ECOWAS and the Government of Cabo Verde, ECREEE was formally inaugurated by His Excellency José Maria Neves, then Prime Minister of Cape Verde (current President), and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency James Gbeho, on the 6th of July 2010. Subsequently, support was received from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the European Union (EU), the German International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Government of Brazil.

2020 – Regulation PC/REX.5/06/2020

In a bid to improving governance and efficiency of the Centre, ECOWAS adopted Regulation PC/REX.5/06/2020 on the Organization and Functioning of ECREEE, on the 5th of November 2020. And subsequently on the 18th of November same year, a Memorandum on the organization and functioning of the ECOWAS-Donors Consultation Committee for ECREEE was adopted.