West African states have signed a new deal with Israel aimed at boosting the region’s struggling power sector, Africa Review reported.

Israeli solar power developer, Energiya Global, committed to a $1b green energy project for the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), Today informed.

The company stated that the money will be invested in the next four years to develop solar projects in all the bloc’s partner states.

The deal is part of an Israeli-Ecowas development cooperation pact that is due to be signed by Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Liberia’s President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

The Israeli Prime Minister is in Liberia on his second Africa visit to address the opening session of Ecowas heads of state summit in Monrovia.

The energy agreement was signed by Israel, Ecowas President, Marcel de-Souza, and Energiya’s CEO, Yosef Abramowitz.

“We are prepared to finance and build the first national demonstration solar projects in all Ecowas-affiliated member countries in order to promote political stability, social and economic development, as well as to transfer of knowledge,” Abramowitz said.

Liberia will be the first to benefit with the $20m worth project. The commercial-scale solar field is expected to supply 25% of the country’s power need and will be located at the Roberts International Airport in Monrovia.