With the aim of addressing pressing climate and energy challenges facing West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed Sahr Abraham Grass-Sessay as the Regional Technical Expert on Climate-Energy for ECOWAS Member States, with support from AECID (Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation). This appointment reflects the region’s dedication to combating the energy deficit and climate crisis by leveraging the expertise of a seasoned professional.
Sahr Abraham Grass-Sessay boasts an impressive career spanning nearly two decades, during which he has collaborated with seven UN Agencies and Multilateral Development Organizations across 35 countries on the African continent. Prior to this prestigious appointment, his roles included serving as a Policy Adviser to the UN Environment Programme, where he played a pivotal role in shaping environmental and ocean governance policies for coastal countries in West, Central, and Southern Africa.
He also held the position of FAO Programme Coordinator, demonstrating adeptness in facilitating multi-stakeholder partnerships between FAO, the African Union (AU), and the African Development Bank to enhance investments in youth employment within the agricultural sector in East African Community (EAC) countries. His extensive experience working with international organizations on cross-border projects uniquely positions him to tackle complex regional climate-energy challenges in West Africa.
Furthermore, he has earned recognition as the Founder Managing Director of the Institute of Leadership, Energy, Environment, and Management, known as ILEM-Africa Consultancy Firm (www.ilem-africa.org). Under his visionary leadership, ILEM-Africa has emerged as a reputable firm providing intercontinental technical assistance geared towards improving the well-being of people across Africa. His efforts in establishing this premier service-driven institution underscore his commitment to the progressive development of the African continent.
Seconded to ECOWAS’ specialized agency on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), Sahr Abraham Grass-Sessay will assume a pivotal role in providing technical leadership on programming, offering guidance on proof-of-concept investments in energy ecosystems, and supporting the implementation of distributed energy solutions for productive use in ECOWAS Member States.
ECOWAS’ decision to appoint him reflects their recognition of his multidisciplinary policy and program development expertise, as well as his proven track record in Institutional State-Building—an essential component for effective state-level and inter-governmental coordination. His dedication to promoting Green Jobs and enhancing Energy Access for productive use underscores his commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Sahr Abraham Grass-Sessay deep passion for taking just climate action and securing energy sovereignty for energy-poor communities positions him as an invaluable asset in advancing ECREEE’s mission of expanding access to carbon-neutral energy solutions, which are poised to create a substantial environmental and socio-economic impact in West Africa.
As he assumes this new role, Sahr Abraham Grass-Sessay is expected to bring his unwavering diligence and expertise to bear on the critical issues of climate and energy, further cementing ECOWAS’ commitment to a sustainable and resilient future for West Africa.
