The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), managed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), has approved US $6.8M in financing for the development of an 18MW solar power plant in Dédougou, western Burkina Faso.
Unveiled during a signing ceremony in Paris the funding package includes a US $2.9 million senior concessional loan and a US $3.9M reimbursable grant. The initiative is part of the Desert-to-Power programme a regional effort to transform the Sahel into the world’s largest solar power zone. Dutch development bank FMO has also committed co-financing to the project, signaling increased private-sector confidence in West Africa’s renewable energy sector.
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Dédougou solar plant
The Dédougou plant, among Burkina Faso’s first independent power producer (IPP) projects, will supply electricity under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the national utility, SONABEL. Once operational, the project is expected to lower electricity costs, cut import dependency, and boost power access in rural areas, where electrification remains below 20%.
“This project is a milestone for Burkina Faso and the broader Sahel region. It shows how solar energy can be a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable development,” said Dr. Daniel Schroth, AfDB’s Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.
Developed by Qair Africa, which commissioned a 24 MW solar plant in Zano in 2023, the Dédougou project is a continuation of the company’s regional expansion. Qair Africa CFO Abdoulaye Toure described the plant as a “natural next step” in driving the energy transition across the region.
In line with international best practices, the plant includes a comprehensive Environmental and Social Management System to ensure responsible development and operation. The project is expected to create local jobs and stimulate economic activity during both the construction and operational phases.
The Dédougou solar plant supports Burkina Faso’s national Desert-to-Power roadmap and contributes to the AfDB’s overarching goal of installing 10 GW of solar capacity and connecting 250 million people in 11 Sahelian countries by 2030.
With projects already underway in Mali, Chad, Niger, and Senegal, the Desert-to-Power initiative is gaining ground as a cornerstone of Africa’s long-term energy security and climate resilience strategy.