Côte d’Ivoire has officially launched the 50MWp Kong Solaire Solar Power Project in the Tchologo region, marking a major step in the nation’s clean energy transition. Described as a symbol of progress and partnership, the Kong Solaire project underscores Côte d’Ivoire’s commitment to sustainable growth and regional energy cooperation.
As one of the country’s first solar Independent Power Producer (IPP) initiatives, Kong Solaire will also establish model documentation and financial structures aimed at attracting future investment and accelerating renewable energy deployment nationwide.
Currently under construction in northern Côte d’Ivoire, the project represents an investment exceeding US $65.3M and is expected to be commissioned in 2027. The plant will feature bifacial solar panels and tracking systems to boost energy generation efficiency. Once operational, the facility will supply electricity to approximately 240,000 people under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Its electricity will also reach homes and businesses in Mali, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, and Guinea through regional power interconnections.
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Development phase
Kong Solaire is being co-developed by the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), through its InfraCo Africa platform, and Ivorian developer Africa Via, with Axian Energy joining the consortium earlier in 2024. In July 2024, the project company jointly owned by InfraCo Africa and Africa Via signed a concession agreement with the Ministry of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy, the Ministry of Finance and Budget, and Côte d’Ivoire Energies (CI-Energies) to develop the facility under a Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) model. This marks the first solar power project in Côte d’Ivoire to adopt this structure.
The launch event brought together officials from key government ministries, CI-Energies representatives, project partners, and members of the local community. Speaking during the ceremony, Abdelali Halhal, PIDG’s Regional Business Development Lead for West and Central Africa, commended the collaboration between the government and private sector:
“It is an honour to celebrate the launch of Kong Solaire. I wish to thank the Ivorian Government, the Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, the Directorate General of Energy, and CI-Energies for their leadership and vision. Together with Africa Via, Axian Energy, and the Ivorian State, we are demonstrating what can be achieved through partnership delivering clean, affordable energy, enhancing energy security, and contributing to Côte d’Ivoire’s goal of achieving 45% renewable energy by 2030.”
