Abstract:
This paper aims to review existing energy-sector and hydrogen-energy-related legal, policy,
and strategy documents in the ECOWAS region. To achieve this aim, current renewable-energyrelated
laws, acts of parliament, executive orders, presidential decrees, administrative orders, and
memoranda were analyzed. The study shows that ECOWAS countries have strived to design
consistent legal instruments regarding renewable energy in developing comprehensive legislation
and bylaws to consolidate it and to encourage investments in renewable energy. Despite all these
countries having a legislative basis for regulating renewable energy, there are still weaknesses that
revolve around the law and policy regarding its possible application in green hydrogen production
and use. The central conclusion of this review paper is that ECOWAS member states presently
have no official hydrogen policies nor bylaws in place. The hydrogen rise presents a challenge and
opportunity for members to play an important role in the fast-growing global hydrogen market.
Therefore, these countries need to reform their regulatory frameworks and align their policies by
introducing green hydrogen production in order to accomplish their green economy transition for
the future and to boost the continent’s sustainable development.
