Standards Alliance Phase II

Energy Projects

The Standards Alliance's energy projects cover a wide array of topics including the harmonization of regional standards for renewable technologies, clean fuel, energy efficiency, and petroleum standards. Benefits of these efforts include increased economies of scale, decreased risks of pollutants, increased product efficacy, more predictable business environments, and increased market access for petroleum and engine lubricant producers. Safety is also strengthened in pipelines, testing, and refinery management systems. Current projects support the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) goals to improve energy access and quality across West Africa.

Active Regions: Africa

Project: Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Harmonization of Petroleum Standards
Implementer: ASTM International and the American Petroleum Institute (API)

The Challenge:

The harmonization of regional petroleum standards will support consumer safety, minimize environmental impacts, maximize economies of scale, and ensure high quality petroleum products across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Increasing understanding, adherence to, and usage of international standards for petroleum products will further increase global stability and drive economic growth in these emerging markets. Harmonized international standards help emerging economies access global markets and expedite regional petroleum processing by implementing existing best practices. Harmonization also promotes a level playing field so that end consumers receive the best value for money spent. Companies operating in West Africa will see improvements to their value chains in terms of advances in operating efficiency and higher-value product yield. The resulting buildup of quality infrastructure will provide direct positive impacts, including higher efficiency, increased safety, decreased environmental impact, and more effective delivery of public goods and services.

Our Work:

This project will introduce, share examples, and make suggestions to ECOWAS and its members on how to implement and make use of the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement decisions and principles related to international standards, good regulatory practice and national quality infrastructure. Using this knowledge, the Technical Harmonization Committees of ECOWAS will be able to identify, review, and modify existing standards that can be adopted and applied in the region. These activities will establish and sustain Western Africa’s fledgling petroleum industry by:

  • Developing market-relevant, scientifically based best practice documents that support consistent requirements and evaluation of product;
  • Providing reference documents to be cited in regulations; and
  • Facilitating exchange of product by minimizing or eliminating barriers to trade.
Where we work:

Focus countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal

ECOWAS member countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo

Additional Resources:

Project: ECOWAS Clean Cooking Fuels
Implementer: Pivot Clean Energy

The Challenge:

Across West Africa, there is a need to build momentum for clean fuel standards and share international best practices on renewable fuel standards and resources for interested regional stakeholders. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region is considering a regional renewable fuel standard, which includes bioethanol, biodiesel, pellets, and briquettes. This standard will include renewable fuel for transportation, cooking, and heating and will support development of specifications for fuels in line with international standards and norms.

Our Work:

This project will provide ECOWAS stakeholders with a background on key clean fuel standards, particularly biofuels standards which can be utilized locally and regionally to meet energy, climate, health, and economic goals. Pivot, in partnership with ECOWAS’s Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, will host workshops on topics that align with national and regional clean fuel goals, work streams, standards, and policy development to galvanize further understanding and support for clean fuel standards.

Where we work:

Focus countries: Ghana and Senegal

ECOWAS member countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo

Additional Resources:
View all SA2 Projects