The ECOWAS Small Hydro Power Program was developed in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and adopted by the ECOWAS Ministers of Energy in October 2012. The Program aims to contribute towards increased access to modern, affordable and reliable energy services, energy security and mitigation of negative externalities of the energy system (e.g. GHG emissions, local pollution) by establishing an enabling environment for small-scale hydro power investments and markets in the ECOWAS region.